Whole Chicken Orzo Soup
Warm your soul with a steaming bowl of Whole Chicken Orzo Soup, featuring tender chicken, hearty orzo pasta, and vibrant vegetables. This easy-to-make recipe is perfect for chilly nights and is sure to impress your family and friends. Packed with flavor and nutrients, it’s the ultimate comfort food that feels like a warm hug in every spoonful.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: Serves approximately 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 whole chicken (3–4 lbs)
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 medium carrots, chopped
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 tsp fresh thyme
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Rinse the whole chicken under cold water and pat dry. Season generously with salt and pepper.
- In a large pot over medium heat, add olive oil. Sauté the onions, carrots, celery, and garlic until fragrant.
- Add the seasoned chicken to the pot along with enough broth to cover. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Cover and simmer for about 45 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
- Carefully remove the chicken and shred its meat. Stir in orzo pasta into the broth and cook until al dente (about 10 minutes).
- Return shredded chicken to the pot along with thyme and parsley. Stir gently before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups (360g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 710mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: For added flavor, brown the chicken before simmering. Feel free to add spinach or other available vegetables for extra nutrition. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to three days; reheat gently on the stove.