How to Make Zoe’s Kitchen Chicken Orzo Soup Recipe at Home
Zoe’s Kitchen chicken orzo soup is a delicious soup that really hits the spot, but you may wish you could make it from the comfort of your own kitchen.
The good news is that you can make a recipe that’s just as good in your own home. If you’re wondering how to make Zoe’s Kitchen chicken orzo soup recipe at home, read on.
What’s So Good About This Soup?
There’s so much to love about this soup. The zestiness of the soup is always appetizing, and it is sure to hit the spot. Plus, this soup is pretty easy to whip up, so you don’t have to be a pro in the kitchen to make it taste like you are.
Lemony Chicken Orzo Soup Recipe
Let’s get started on this zesty chicken orzo soup recipe. Be sure to keep this recipe handy because you’ll be using it for years to come.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds of chicken breast, cut into one-inch squares*
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 2 stalks celery, chopped finely
- 2 carrots, chopped into small pieces
- 1 sweet onion, diced (but other onions can work)
- 3 tablespoons flour
- ½ teaspoon Italian season
- 1 cup orzo, uncooked
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon pepper (or to taste)
*If you prefer, you can brown chicken in a pan first, which I like to do, but this is not necessary. Alternatively, you can choose not to chop the chicken, and you can take it out after cooking it and then shred it with a fork, but I find that method to be a lot of unnecessary fuss.
Instructions
- Chop and prepare your ingredients.
- Heat the butter and oil in a soup pot over medium-high heat. When the oils are heated, add the garlic and onion. Cook until fragrant and translucent for about 3 minutes. Add the carrots and celery. Cook for an additional 5 minutes.
- Add flour. Be sure to stir it so that it doesn’t clump. Cook for a minute or two.
- Pour the chicken broth into the pot and stir until the flour dissolves. Add seasonings and spices. Put the cut-up chicken into the pot.
- Bring the soup to a boil. When the soup is boiling, put a lid on and turn down the heat. Let the soup simmer for around 30 minutes. The chicken should be cooked through, and you should be able to pull it apart with your fork. If it is not flaky, let it simmer longer.
- Add the lemon juice.
- Add the orzo, and let it cook for about 10 minutes or until the orzo is completely cooked. You’ll want to stir often to avoid the orzo sticking at the bottom of your pot.
- Add the parsley.
- You’re ready to serve your soup.
Can I Make Substitutions?
Substitutions are so easy when you make this soup. If you don’t have all the ingredients in your pantry, have dietary constraints, or just want something a little different, substitutions can be a lot of fun and help you customize your meal.
You can use just about any broth and protein combination for this recipe. While the lemon and chicken pair so well together, they are far from the only choices.
Whatever broth or stock you have on hand will probably do the trick. For vegetarians, vegetable stock tastes so good in this recipe. Swapping meat for alternative protein sources can be tasty.
Tofu goes great in this recipe, but I’ve also tried other meatless options, such as adding chickpeas or other beans.
If I don’t have ingredients like celery or carrot on hand, I’ll swap for other vegetables. Bell peppers taste so good in this recipe. Even if you have celery or carrot on hand, bell peppers are a great addition.
Can I Make This Soup Ahead
Yes, this soup is good for working ahead. However, it is my recommendation that you cook the orzo separately and add it when you are ready to serve the soup. Otherwise, the orzo can soak up all the liquid and get overly puffy.
What Goes Well With This Soup?
This soup is great with many main courses. It’s a great appetizer if you plan on having fish, chicken, or beef, but it’s also great as a meal all on its own.
I love to pair this soup with bread. When I have time, I like to whip up a fresh loaf, but when I’m in a rush, I’ll buy my favorite crusty loaf from the store, and it tastes delicious as well.
Soup and salad is also a classic combination, so pairing this soup with your favorite salad, especially a Mediterranean salad, is always a perfect choice with this soup.
Does This Soup Taste Good Left Over?
This soup tastes fantastic leftover, but there are some things you may want to keep in mind if you plan on saving this soup for later.
When you reheat this soup, you may have to add more broth to add because the orzo will soak up a lot of the liquid when you are storing the soup.
Alternatively, you can cook the orzo separately from the rest of the soup and add it in later to prevent the orzo from expanding too much.
Storing Your Soup
Storing your soup is a great way to have a good meal prepared for when you are busy or need a comforting meal.
Storing your soup in the fridge for up to a week is a viable option; however, it will probably taste freshest within 3 to 4 days.
Soup can last much longer in the freezer, and you can generally store it for up to three months, but it may taste more vibrant within the first few weeks.
It will be safer for longer, but you may lose the fresh flavors more as time goes on. The USDA suggests that you keep your freezer at 0 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature is optimal for keeping your foods safe to eat.
If you plan to store your soup, you may want to cook the orzo separately and add it in when you are ready to serve the soup. Otherwise, the orzo may puff up too much.
Is Chicken Orzo Soup Healthy?
Chicken orzo soup is a great way to get both protein and nutrients. As a Mediterranean-based food, it has many of the known health benefits of a Mediterranean diet, which is known as one of the healthiest diets on earth.
A Mediterranean diet is known for promoting heart health, healthy blood sugar levels, and optimal brain function. Soup is one of the most balanced foods you can eat, so there’s no going wrong with a nice soup for whatever meal you want to have.
