High Protein Chicken Orzo Soup

This High Protein Chicken Orzo Soup is a comforting and nutrient-packed twist on a classic favorite, perfect for fueling your busy days while keeping things light and vibrant. Featuring tender shredded chicken breasts, fiber-rich vegetables like carrots, celery, and spinach, and hearty orzo pasta simmered in a fragrant low-sodium chicken broth, this soup delivers a protein boost in every spoonful. A splash of zesty lemon juice and a sprinkle of fresh parsley elevate the flavors, making it as refreshing as it is satisfying. Ready in under an hour, this one-pot wonder is ideal for meal prep or a cozy family dinner, offering six servings of wholesome goodness. Whether you're looking for a healthy lunch idea or a post-workout meal, this easy-to-make chicken soup is sure to become a staple in your weekly rotation.

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound chicken breasts
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 whole medium onion, diced
• 2 medium carrots, sliced
• 2 stalks celery stalks, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 leaf bay leaf
• 1 cup orzo pasta
• 3 cups spinach, chopped
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.

Step 2

Season the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper on both sides.

Step 3

Add the chicken breasts to the pot and cook them for about 6-8 minutes on each side, or until they are browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside to cool slightly.

Step 4

In the same pot, add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until it becomes translucent.

Step 5

Add the sliced carrots and celery, and cook for an additional 5 minutes until the vegetables start to soften.

Step 6

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until it is fragrant.

Step 7

Pour in the chicken broth and add the bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a boil.

Step 8

Reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer for 10 minutes.

Step 9

Meanwhile, once the chicken is cool enough to handle, shred it using two forks.

Step 10

Add the orzo to the pot and continue to simmer the soup for about 8-10 minutes, or until the orzo is tender.

Step 11

Add the shredded chicken back into the pot, along with the chopped spinach.

Step 12

Stir in the lemon juice and let the soup simmer for another 2-3 minutes until the spinach is wilted.

Step 13

Remove the bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more salt and pepper if necessary.

Step 14

Garnish the soup with chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3200.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2022.4

Total Fat 53.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 9.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 372.8mg	0%
Sodium 3584.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 199.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 24.4g	0%
Total Sugars 25.8g
Protein 191.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 512.2mg	0%
Iron 20.5mg	0%
Potassium 2402.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 23.5%

Protein: 37.5%

Carbs: 39.0%