Crock Pot Orzo Soup

This Crock Pot Orzo Soup is a light and flavorful recipe, which includes chicken breasts and orzo pasta. It’s a classic, foolproof recipe, ready in about 6 hours and 25 minutes.

Crock Pot 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 Orzo Soup

1. Load slow cooker with 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 on high for 3–4 hours.
3. Shred chicken and add finishing ingredients: About 30 minutes before serving, remove the bay leaves and take out the chicken. Shred the chicken with two forks and return it to the slow cooker.
4. Add orzo, lemon, and parsley: Stir in the orzo, lemon juice, and chopped parsley. Turn the slow cooker to high and stir every 10 minutes to prevent the orzo from sticking.
5. Season and serve: Once the orzo is tender, taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. Serve warm.

Recipe Tips

• Can I use rotisserie chicken instead? Yes, just add shredded rotisserie chicken in the last 30 minutes and skip the shredding step.
• How to keep orzo from sticking: Stir every 10 minutes once added, especially as it begins to cook.
• Can I use only chicken broth? Yes, using all chicken broth instead of half vegetable broth works fine.
• What vegetables can I add? Spinach or kale can be stirred in at the end for extra greens.
• How to make it creamier: Stir in a splash of cream or half-and-half at the end if desired.

What To Serve With Orzo Soup

This comforting soup pairs well with simple sides:

• Crusty baguette or sourdough
• Grilled cheese sandwiches
• Greek salad
• Roasted vegetables
• Garlic breadsticks

How To Store Orzo Soup

Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The orzo will absorb liquid over time, so you may need to add broth when reheating.

Freeze: Freeze the soup without orzo for best results. Add freshly cooked orzo after reheating. Store for up to 2 months.

Orzo Soup Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 300 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 26g
• Protein: 37g
• Fat: 5g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Trans Fat: 0.02g
• 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 make Crock Pot Orzo Soup with leftover chicken?
Yes, just add it during the last 30 minutes with the orzo to warm through.

Why is my orzo overcooked?
Make sure to add it only in the last 30 minutes and monitor closely to prevent overcooking.

Is orzo gluten-free?
Traditional orzo is not, but you can find gluten-free versions in most grocery stores.

How to add more lemon flavor?
Add a little lemon zest or an extra squeeze of juice before serving.

Can I make this vegetarian?
Yes, skip the chicken and use all vegetable broth. Add beans for protein.

Try More Recipes:

• Crock Pot Nacho Soup
• Crock Pot Mushroom Wild Rice Soup
• Crock Pot Mushroom Barley Soup

Crock Pot Orzo Soup

Recipe by Robert Course: SoupsCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

6

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

6

hours 

10

minutes

Calories

300

kcal

This cozy, broth-based chicken soup is slow-cooked with orzo pasta and lemon for a light and nourishing meal.

Ingredients

• 4 medium chicken breasts

• 2 large carrots, sliced
  

• 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
  

• 4 cups chicken broth
  

• 4 cups vegetable broth
  

• 4 cloves garlic, minced
  

• 1/2 tsp dried basil
  

• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
  

• 3 bay leaves
  

• Juice of 1 lemon
  

• 1 handful fresh parsley, chopped
  

• 1 cup uncooked orzo
  

• Salt & pepper to taste
  

Directions

• Add chicken, veggies, broths, garlic, and herbs (except lemon, parsley, orzo, and salt & pepper) to slow cooker.
  
• Cook on low for 6–8 hours or high for 3–4 hours.
  
• Remove bay leaves and shred chicken. Return to pot.
  
• Add lemon juice, parsley, and orzo. Cook on high, stirring every 10 minutes, until orzo is tender.
  
• Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.