Crock Pot Chicken Lemon Orzo Soup

This Crock Pot Chicken Lemon Orzo Soup is a light and comforting recipe, which includes fresh lemon juice and tender orzo pasta. It’s a no-fuss take on the classic, ready in about 8 hours and 10 minutes.

Crock Pot Chicken Lemon Orzo Soup Ingredients

• 4 medium chicken breasts
• 2 large carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2 sticks celery, chopped finely
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 3 bay leaves
• Juice from 1 lemon
• 1 handful fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 cup uncooked orzo
• Salt & pepper to taste

How To Make Crock Pot Chicken Lemon Orzo Soup

1. Combine base ingredients: Add chicken breasts, carrots, celery, chicken broth, vegetable broth, garlic, basil, Italian seasoning, and bay leaves to your slow cooker.
2. Cook the soup: Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours.
3. Shred and add final ingredients: About 30 minutes before serving, remove bay leaves and shred the chicken with two forks. Return the chicken to the slow cooker.
4. Add lemon and orzo: Stir in the lemon juice, parsley, and uncooked orzo. Turn heat to HIGH and stir every 10 minutes to prevent sticking.
5. Finish and serve: Once the orzo is tender, season with salt and pepper to taste and serve hot.

Recipe Tips

• Can I use chicken thighs instead? Yes, use 6 boneless, skinless thighs if you prefer dark meat. Cooking time remains the same.
• How to prevent dry chicken: Use chicken thighs if cooking on LOW for 8 hours to avoid drying out the chicken breasts.
• When to add orzo: Add orzo during the last 30 minutes of cooking to avoid overcooking or sticking.
• Can I skip the vegetable broth? Yes, just use 8 cups of chicken broth if you don’t have vegetable broth on hand.
• Why stir while cooking orzo? Orzo tends to sink and stick, so stirring helps prevent it from clumping or burning.

What To Serve With Chicken Lemon Orzo Soup

This soup is light yet filling—perfect with simple sides:

• Warm crusty bread or garlic toast
• A fresh garden or Greek salad
• Roasted vegetables like zucchini or asparagus
• Grilled cheese sandwiches

How To Store Chicken Lemon Orzo Soup

Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freeze: Let cool completely, then freeze in individual portions for up to 3 months. Reheat gently and add a splash of broth if needed.

Chicken Lemon Orzo Soup Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 300kcal
• Carbohydrates: 26g
• Protein: 37g
• Fat: 5g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Cholesterol: 100mg
• Sodium: 1413mg
• Potassium: 787mg
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 4g
• Calcium: 45mg
• Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Can I use cooked orzo instead of uncooked?
Yes, stir in cooked orzo just before serving to prevent overcooking.

Why is my orzo mushy?
It may have cooked too long or wasn’t stirred. Only add it in the final 30 minutes.

Can I add spinach or kale?
Absolutely—add fresh greens in the last 10 minutes of cooking for extra nutrition.

How to make it gluten-free?
Use gluten-free orzo or substitute with rice or quinoa.

Is this soup good for meal prep?
Yes, it stores and reheats well. You may want to cook the orzo separately for best texture.

Try More Recipes:

• Crock Pot Chicken Enchilada Soup
• Crock Pot Chicken Stew
• Crock Pot Chicken Potato Soup