🍋🍲 Mediterranean Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup with Spinach
Light, cozy, refreshing, and protein-packed — a classic Mediterranean comfort soup with bright lemon, tender chicken, orzo, and fresh spinach.
⭐ Ingredients (Serves 4)
For the Soup
-
2 tbsp olive oil
-
1 medium onion, finely diced
-
2 cloves garlic, minced
-
2 medium carrots, diced
-
2 celery stalks, diced
-
1 cup cooked shredded chicken (or 1–2 raw breasts cooked in the soup)
-
6 cups chicken broth
-
⅔ cup orzo pasta
-
2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
-
1–2 tbsp fresh lemon juice (adjust to taste)
-
1 tsp lemon zest
-
1 tsp dried oregano
-
½ tsp black pepper
-
Salt to taste
-
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
-
Optional: 1 egg for extra creaminess (Avgolemono style)
🔧 Instructions
1. Sauté the Vegetables
-
Heat olive oil in a pot.
-
Add onion, carrots, and celery.
-
Cook 5–6 minutes until softened.
-
Add garlic and sauté 30 seconds.
2. Add Broth & Chicken
-
Pour in chicken broth.
-
Add shredded chicken (or add raw chicken breasts to cook in the broth).
-
Season with oregano, pepper, and a pinch of salt.
-
Simmer 10 minutes.
If using raw chicken:
Remove after 12–15 minutes, shred, and return to pot.
3. Add the Orzo
-
Add orzo and cook 8–10 minutes until tender.
(Stir often so it doesn’t stick.)
4. Add Spinach & Lemon
Once orzo is cooked:
✔ Stir in chopped spinach
✔ Add lemon juice + zest
✔ Taste and adjust salt, lemon, or pepper
Cook 1 more minute until spinach wilts.
Optional Avgolemono Creamy Step (Mediterranean upgrade)
-
Whisk 1 egg in a bowl.
-
Add a ladle of hot soup slowly into the egg while whisking.
-
Pour the mixture back into the pot.
-
This makes the soup silky without cream.
5. Finish
-
Stir in fresh parsley.
-
Drizzle a little olive oil on top before serving.
🍽️ Serve With
-
Warm whole wheat pita
-
Greek salad
-
Lemon-roasted potatoes
-
Garlic yogurt dip
⭐ Mediterranean Tips
-
Add dill for a Greek touch.
-
Replace orzo with barley or brown rice for a whole-grain option.
-
Add chickpeas for extra protein and fiber.
-
Use turmeric (¼ tsp) for anti-inflammatory depth.
