Creamy Chicken and Orzo Soup
Ingredients
- 3 tbspunsalted butter
- 1sweet onion
diced
- 3carrots
peeled and diced
- 2celery sticks
diced
- 3garlic cloves
minced
- kosher salt and pepper
- ½ tsppoultry seasoning
- 1 ½ ccooked
shredded chicken
- 6 cchicken stock
- 1parmesan cheese rind
- 1 cuncooked orzo pasta
- ½ cmilk
- 1 tspall-purpose flour
- 3 tbspfresh parsley
plus more for topping
- parmesan cheese
for topping
- lemon wedges
for spritzing
Directions
- 1
Heat the butter in a large stock pot over medium-low heat. Add in the onion, carrots, celery and garlic with a big pinch of salt and pepper - I’d say at least ½ teaspoon salt and pepper to start. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften. Stir in the garlic cloves and poultry seasoning. Stir in the shredded chicken.
- 2
Add in the chicken stock and the parmesan rind. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce it to a simmer. Stir in the orzo pasta. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is al dente, about 8 minutes.
- 3
In a shaker bottle even a bowl, shake (or whisk) together the milk and flour to form a slurry. Pour this into the soup and simmer for another 1 to 2 minutes. Taste and season with more salt and pepper as needed. If the parmesan rind didn’t melt entirely, you can scoop it out at this point. Stir in the fresh parsley.
- 4
Serve immediately with a lemon wedge for sprinkling, parmesan cheese for topping and parsley sprinkled on top.
- 5
Note: if you want to prep this for meals ahead of time, or want to have it for leftovers, I suggest cooking the orzo separately as it will soak up most of the broth as it sits overnight. Combine the soup and orzo and reheat to enjoy!
Creamy Chicken and Orzo Soup
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About this Recipe
Craving a bowl of pure comfort that feels like a warm embrace? This Creamy Chicken and Orzo Soup delivers exactly that, transforming simple ingredients into a deeply satisfying meal perfect for any day.
Why This Recipe Works
This isn't just another chicken soup. The magic here lies in building layers of flavor from the ground up, starting with aromatic vegetables like sweet onion, carrots, and celery. The addition of a parmesan cheese rind infuses the broth with an unparalleled depth and umami, while a touch of all-purpose flour and milk create that luscious, velvety texture that makes this creamy chicken and orzo soup so irresistible. Poultry seasoning ties all these flavors together beautifully, giving it that familiar, comforting taste you crave.
What to Expect
Prepare for a hearty, soul-warming experience. Each spoonful of this creamy chicken and orzo soup offers tender pieces of cooked chicken nestled among small, pasta-like grains of orzo. The broth is rich and savory, with a subtle sweetness from the vegetables and a bright finish from a spritz of lemon. The creamy texture is perfectly balanced, making it substantial without being heavy. You'll find yourself reaching for seconds, savoring every comforting bite.
Customization & Variations
Feel free to make this comforting soup your own. While the recipe calls for cooked, shredded chicken, you could easily use leftover roast chicken or even rotisserie chicken for a quick start. For different vegetable textures, consider adding diced bell peppers or spinach near the end of cooking. If you don't have a parmesan rind, a generous sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese at the end will still add a delightful cheesy note. For an even richer broth, you could swap some chicken stock for vegetable stock.
Serving & Context
Serve this creamy chicken and orzo soup hot, garnished with extra fresh parsley and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese. A fresh lemon wedge on the side is essential for adding a burst of bright, acidic counterpoint that elevates every spoonful. It's the ideal meal for a chilly evening or a comforting lunch, bringing warmth and cheer to your table.