Crockpot Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup Recipe
This Crockpot Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup is a comforting and flavorful slow-cooked soup combining tender chicken breasts, fresh vegetables, aromatic herbs, and a zesty lemon twist. The addition of orzo pasta adds a delightful texture, making it a hearty and satisfying meal perfect for cozy days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours low or 3-4 hours high plus 30 minutes additional for orzo cooking
- Total Time: 6 hours 45 minutes (using low setting)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 4 medium chicken breasts
Vegetables
- 2 large carrots (peeled & sliced)
- 2 sticks celery (chopped finely)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 handful fresh parsley (chopped)
Broth & Liquids
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 4 cups vegetable broth (see note)
- Juice from 1 lemon
Herbs & Seasonings
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 3 bay leaves
- Salt & pepper (to taste)
Grains
- 1 cup uncooked orzo
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients and start slow cooking: Add the chicken breasts, sliced carrots, finely chopped celery, minced garlic, chicken broth, vegetable broth, dried basil, Italian seasoning, and bay leaves into your slow cooker. Avoid adding the lemon juice, parsley, orzo, and salt & pepper at this stage. Set the slow cooker to low and cook for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the chicken is tender.
- Shred chicken and add remaining ingredients: About 30 minutes before serving, remove the bay leaves from the soup. Take the chicken breasts out and shred them thoroughly using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker along with the lemon juice, fresh parsley, and uncooked orzo. Increase the slow cooker setting to high.
- Cook orzo and finish seasoning: Stir the soup every 10 minutes to prevent the orzo from sticking to the bottom of the slow cooker. Cook until the orzo is tender, approximately 20-30 minutes. Finally, season the soup with salt and pepper according to your taste preferences. Serve warm and enjoy your hearty lemon chicken orzo soup.
Notes
- Using both chicken and vegetable broth provides a balanced flavor, but you can use all chicken broth if preferred.
- Stirring frequently during the orzo cooking stage prevents it from sticking to the slow cooker base.
- For a thicker soup, add less broth or allow the orzo to cook longer; for thinner soup, add extra broth or water.
- Fresh lemon juice brightens the flavors; adjust to taste if you desire more tang.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
Keywords: lemon chicken soup, crockpot soup, orzo soup, slow cooker chicken soup, easy chicken soup recipe, comforting soup
