Description
A velvety, bright, and deeply comforting chicken soup infused with fresh lemon and a touch of cream. Perfect for any season.
Ingredients
1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts
1 tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, diced
2 large carrots, sliced into rounds
2 celery stalks, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp dried rosemary
3/4 cup uncooked orzo pasta
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp lemon zest
2 cups fresh baby spinach
Salt and black pepper to taste
Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
Step 1: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery, sautéing for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
Step 2: Stir in the minced garlic, thyme, and rosemary. Cook for another 1 minute until the aromatics are fragrant.
Step 3: Add the chicken broth and the raw chicken. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 12-15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
Step 4: Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside on a cutting board to cool slightly. Meanwhile, add the orzo pasta to the simmering broth and cook according to package directions (usually about 8-10 minutes).
Step 5: While the pasta cooks, shred the chicken using two forks.
Step 6: Once the pasta is tender, return the shredded chicken to the pot. Stir in the heavy cream, lemon juice, lemon zest, and fresh baby spinach.
Step 7: Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the spinach is wilted and the soup is heated through. Season generously with salt and pepper.
Step 8: Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and an extra lemon wedge if desired.
Notes
To prevent the cream from curdling, ensure you add the lemon juice and cream at the end of the cooking process over low heat. You can also temper the cream by mixing it with a ladle of hot broth before adding it to the pot.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soups & Stews
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 385 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 85mg