This Greek lemon chicken orzo soup is packed with flavor and healthy ingredients that will help cure the common cold and offer comfort any time of the week! 

Summer, spring, winter, or fall- this soup is perfect anytime of year! It is fresh, hearty, nourishing, comforting, and SO delicious! I love to make it for a sick friend or a new mom, but it is wonderful whenever. Unlike many soups, this one does not require hours of simmering, but packs a big flavor punch. I hope you enjoy! 

What is Greek Style Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup?

Similar to chicken noodle soup, Greek style chicken soup has a few differences that make it stand out. Orzo or pearl couscous replace traditional pasta. Freshly squeezed lemon juice gives the soup a bright, fresh flavor. The fragrant spices make it not only delicious but quite the healthy option for someone nursing a cold.

What Ingredients Are In This Soup?

• 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts (thin is better, and I prefer breasts but you could also use chicken thighs) 
• 1 onion, diced (or 1 cup frozen)
• 1/2 cup of diced carrots
• 2 ribs of celery, finely diced
• 2 TB extra virgin olive oil 
• 8 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tsp each sea salt & ground pepper
• 1 TB fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried)
• 1 TB fresh parsley (or 1 tsp dried)
• 1/2 tsp lemon pepper seasoning
• juice of 1 lemon 
• zest of 1 lemon
• 3 TB chopped chives
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 7-8 cups chicken broth or bone broth
• 1 cup orzo pasta or pearl/Israeli couscous
• 1/2 cup feta or Parmesan cheese (optional)
• 1/2 cup frozen peas (optional for fiber)

How Do I Make Greek Style Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup?

Don’t let the lengthy list of ingredients fool you- this Greek lemon chicken orzo soup recipe is truly so simple to make and delicious to eat! To start, heat your olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Season your chicken with salt and pepper to taste, and sauté them in the Dutch oven until they are golden. Next, add your onion, celery, carrot, and garlic to the pan and sauté the vegetables until they are tender. Add the thyme, fresh lemon juice and lemon zest. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 20 minutes (until chicken is fully cooked). Remove your chicken and dice it into small pieces before adding it back to the pot. Add in your orzo or couscous and simmer for five more minutes. Turn off the heat and stir in your feta or Parmesan if you choose. Finally, allow the soup to sit for 20 minutes before ladling into bowls! 

Should I Use Couscous or Orzo In This Greek Lemon Chicken Soup?

I use pearl (or Israeli) couscous in this recipe interchangeably with orzo. Both are delicious, and both cook at about the same time. Just use whichever one you have on hand!!!

What Is Orzo?

Orzo is a type of pasta that’s similar to rice in shape, size, and texture. It has a springy soft texture that absorbs flavors around it, making it perfect for soups, salad, pasta dishes and more. Whole-wheat orzo packs more fiber and protein than regular orzo, making it the healthier choice.

What Is Pearl Couscous?

Pearl couscous is a toasted Israeli-style pasta. It is round and tiny~smaller than peas. It is made from wheat, so it is not gluten free. You can skillet “toast” pearl couscous before adding to recipes; this brings out the nutty flavor. You can also add pearl couscous to soups or stews to simmer until tender.

Can You Use Rice In This Soup?

You can use rice instead of orzo or pearl couscous in this soup, but I suggest that you cook the rice separately and add it at the very end once the soup is cooked. Rice takes longer to cook than these two pastas, so this is the best way that I have found to make the substitution.

What Does Adding Lemon To Soup Do?

Lemon adds acid to any dish! A small amount of an acidic ingredient like lemon juice added at the end of cooking brightens flavors, especially in soups. Start with a little bit of lemon juice, taste it, and adjust until your soup tastes balanced and bright.

Savvy Suggestions:

The following products are great to have on hand in the cupboard or freezer to enable you to make soup any time the mood strikes.

• frozen chicken breasts or tenderloins
• extra virgin olive oil
• fresh celery and carrots (to chop for soup)
• fresh or frozen chopped onion
• garlic (the Spice Island fresh whole cloves in a jar are wonderful)
• chicken bone broth
• orzo or pearl couscous
• chicken bouillon cubes
• Better Than Bouillon chicken base
• seasonings & spices (kosher salt, ground pepper, Greek seasoning)

The above ingredients can be combined and tweaked to make your own favorite version of this or any other chicken soup. Whether chicken noodle, chicken & rice, or chicken orzo, these staples will make a tasty and comforting soup in less than an hour.

Watch Me Make This Yummy Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup:

I hope you enjoy this soup and would love to hear from you if you try it. Thanks so much for stopping by. Be blessed, and stay savvy!!!