Description
Whip up a delicious meal with Crockpot Creamy Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup. Discover the recipe now!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1½ pounds (680g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced (about 1 cup)
- 3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced into ¼-inch rounds (about 1 cup)
- 3 celery stalks, sliced (about ¾ cup)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped (plus more for garnish)
- Zest and juice from 2 medium lemons
- 6 cups (1.4L) low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
- 1 cup (180g) orzo pasta, uncooked
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 cups (60g) fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- ¼ cup (25g) grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients Begin by gathering and prepping all your ingredients. Dice the onion, slice the carrots and celery, and mince the garlic. Chop the fresh herbs and zest the lemons, setting the zest aside for later. Cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch chunks for more even cooking and better distribution throughout the soup.
- Step 2: Start the Soup Base Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then sear them for 2-3 minutes until lightly golden on the outside (they don’t need to be cooked through). Transfer the chicken to your slow cooker, then in the same skillet, quickly sauté the onions, carrots, celery, and garlic for 2-3 minutes until fragrant. Add these aromatic vegetables to the slow cooker as well.
- Step 3: Add Liquids and Seasonings Pour the chicken broth into the slow cooker, then add the thyme, dill, juice from one lemon, salt, and pepper. Stir gently to combine all ingredients, ensuring the chicken is fully submerged in the liquid for even cooking.
- Step 4: Slow Cook Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. The chicken should be tender enough to shred easily with a fork when done. At this point, taste the broth and adjust seasonings if needed.
- Step 5: Add the Orzo About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the dry orzo pasta. Replace the lid and continue cooking until the orzo is tender but still has a slight bite, approximately 25-30 minutes.
- Step 6: Finish the Soup When the orzo is cooked, turn the slow cooker to the warm setting. Stir in the heavy cream, fresh spinach, remaining lemon juice, and all the lemon zest. Allow the soup to sit for about 5 minutes until the spinach is wilted and the flavors have melded together.
- Step 7: Serve Ladle your Crockpot Creamy Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup into bowls, garnish with additional fresh dill, a crack of black pepper, and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan if desired. Serve immediately with crusty bread for dipping.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 50mg