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Greek Lemon Chicken Soup Recipe Easy Homemade Cozy Soup with Orzo and Dill

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A cozy Greek lemon chicken soup featuring tender orzo and fresh dill, perfect for chilly nights and quick comfort food.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 3/4 cup (about 150g) orzo pasta
  • 6 cups (1.4 liters) low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • Juice and zest of 2 medium lemons
  • 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 medium carrots, diced
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: pinch of crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Rinse and pat dry the chicken breasts or thighs. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Set aside.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat in a large pot. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and fragrant, about 6 to 8 minutes.
  3. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute until aromatic, being careful not to burn it.
  4. Pour in 6 cups of chicken broth. Nestle the chicken pieces into the pot. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 20 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and tender.
  5. Remove the chicken from the broth and shred finely using two forks. Set aside.
  6. Bring the broth back to a simmer. Add the orzo and cook uncovered for about 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until tender but not mushy.
  7. Return shredded chicken to the pot and stir gently to combine. Let it warm through for 2 to 3 minutes.
  8. In a small bowl, mix lemon juice with a few tablespoons of hot broth to temper the acidity. Slowly stir this mixture back into the soup along with the lemon zest.
  9. Stir in the chopped fresh dill. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Add crushed red pepper flakes if using.
  10. Let the soup sit on very low heat for another 2 minutes to marry the flavors before serving.

Notes

Avoid boiling the soup vigorously after adding lemon juice to prevent curdling. Temper lemon juice with hot broth before adding. Fresh dill is preferred for best flavor. Orzo can be substituted with gluten-free pasta or rice-shaped grains for gluten-free option. Leftovers store well for up to 3 days; add broth when reheating to loosen orzo.

Nutrition

Keywords: Greek lemon chicken soup, orzo soup, cozy soup, homemade soup, lemon dill soup, easy chicken soup, comfort food

Find it online: https://yumnode.com/greek-lemon-chicken-soup-recipe-easy-homemade-cozy-soup-with-orzo-and-dill/