Toasted Orzo Chicken Soup

Warm, hearty, and bursting with flavor, this toasted orzo chicken soup is perfect for a cozy night in. The golden-brown orzo and rich chicken broth make each spoonful comforting and satisfying. I will be making a meal prep guide this coming week to make it easy to have a full week’s worth of delicious fall foods. In the meantime - enjoy this quick recipe.

Ingredients

• 0.7 - 1 pound chicken breast or thigh

• 1 large carrot, diced

• 3–4 stalks of celery, diced

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1/2 box of chicken stock, plus 1 chicken bouillon cube

• 2 tbsp butter, divided

• 1/2 box of orzo pasta

• Olive oil, for rubbing

• Lemon pepper seasoning

• Fresh chives, chopped

Instructions

1. Prep the Chicken
   Rub the chicken with a generous drizzle of olive oil and sprinkle with lemon pepper seasoning. Set aside to marinate while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.

2. Toast the Orzo
   In a large Dutch oven, melt 1 tbsp of butter over medium heat. Add the orzo and toast for 1–2 minutes until golden brown, stirring frequently. Once toasted, remove the orzo from the pot and set aside.

3. Cook the Chicken
   In the same pot, add the chicken. Let it brown on both sides (but don’t cook it through just yet – we’ll finish it later). Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.

4. Sauté the Vegetables
   Add the remaining butter to the pot. Sauté the carrots, garlic, and celery for 2–3 minutes until softened.

5. Build the Soup
   Pour in half the box of chicken stock and add the chicken bouillon cube. Add the browned chicken back to the pot, along with the toasted orzo. Simmer for about 6 minutes, allowing the chicken to cook through and the flavors to meld.

6. Shred the Chicken
   Remove the chicken from the pot, shred it using two forks, and return it to the soup.

7. Finish the Soup
   Add additional chicken stock as needed to achieve your desired consistency (the orzo will have absorbed a fair amount of liquid). Simmer for an additional 2–3 minutes, until the orzo is tender.

8. Serve
   Ladle the soup into a bowl and finish with a good drizzle of olive oil and a generous sprinkle of freshly chopped chives. Don’t skip the chives – they make all the difference in flavor and presentation!

Enjoy your warm bowl of toasted orzo chicken soup! This easy, comforting recipe is perfect for a solo meal or a light appetizer.

With Love,

Cristina