Description
Lemon Chicken Soup is a vibrant and nourishing dish that combines the comforting flavors of tender chicken and fresh vegetables with a zesty lemon twist. Perfect for any occasion, this soup warms you from the inside out, making it an ideal choice for chilly evenings or light lunches. Its versatility allows for serving with rice, pasta, or even zucchini noodles, ensuring there’s something for everyone. Packed with wholesome ingredients, this Lemon Chicken Soup promises a delightful balance of nutrition and taste that your family will love.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cups diced carrots
- 1 cup finely chopped onion
- ½ cup finely chopped celery
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic (about 3 cloves)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 6 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup dry orzo pasta
- ½ cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
Instructions
- Prepare your vegetables by washing and chopping the carrots, onion, celery, and garlic.
- Heat olive oil in an Instant Pot or large pot over medium heat. Sauté the carrots, onion, celery, and garlic until softened (5-7 minutes).
- Stir in black pepper, dried parsley, thyme, salt, and bay leaves to combine.
- Add boneless chicken breasts and low sodium chicken broth; bring to a boil then reduce heat to simmer for about 30 minutes.
- Stir in dry orzo pasta and cook according to package instructions (about 8-10 minutes).
- Remove cooked chicken, shred it using two forks, return to the soup along with fresh squeezed lemon juice.
- Serve warm in bowls; garnish if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: Adjust the lemon juice to suit your taste preference; start with half of what is called for. Feel free to add extra vegetables such as spinach or bell peppers for added nutrition.