30 Minute Creamy Chicken Orzo Soup

Warm up with this delicious, 30-minute creamy chicken orzo soup, packed with tender chicken, orzo pasta, flavorful herbs, and a rich, velvety broth. It’s the perfect cozy comfort food for those chilly evenings!

 

Easy Chicken and Orzo Soup Recipe

It’s like chicken noodle soup – but better! – with a creamy broth and cute little orzo pasta. This chicken orzo soup is hearty and satisfying. It’s the perfect recipe to keep in your back pocket as temperatures start to drop!

Ingredients for Chicken Orzo Soup

• Butter: Butter adds flavor and combines with the flour to create a roux and make the soup thick and creamy.
• Onion, Carrot, & Celery: Mirepoix is the easiest way to add tons of flavor to your soup. Check your local grocery store and see if they offer a pre-chopped mirepoix to save on prep time.
• Garlic: Freshly minced garlic will give you the best flavor. Substitute with 3/4 teaspoon of garlic powder.
• Herbs: Italian seasoning and ground sage are my favorites to add earthy, herby flavor to this soup. Feel free to use your favorite dried herb mixture.
• Flour: All-purpose flour works best to thicken this soup as it simmers.
• Chicken Stock: You can also use chicken broth or veggie broth in place of the chicken stock.
• Orzo: Orzo is the perfect little pasta for this creamy chicken soup. You can substitute with other pasta if you like but depending on the size and shape you’ll likely need to add less.
• Chicken: Shredded rotisserie chicken is my favorite shortcut ingredient for making this easy chicken soup recipe.
• Heavy Cream: Heavy cream adds delicious flavor and texture. You can substitute with half and half if you like but the broth will be thinner.
• Balsamic Vinegar: Balsamic vinegar balances the richness of the broth and boosts the overall flavor of the other ingredients. Substitute with white wine vinegar, white balsamic vinegar, or red wine vinegar.

How to Make Chicken Orzo Soup

Heat 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat in a large pot. Add 1 cup diced onion, 1 cup sliced carrot, 1 cup sliced celery, along with a couple pinches of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, for about 6 minutes. Add 6 cloves minced garlic, 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon ground sage, and a couple pinches of salt and pepper. Cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently.

Add 4 tablespoons flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently. Add a couple splashes of chicken stock until it cleans the bottom of the pot.

Add what remains of the 8 cups chicken stock, 2 cups uncooked orzo pasta, 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken, and a couple pinches of salt and pepper.

Turn heat to medium-high, cover the pot, and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, over low heat for about 5 minutes or until the pasta is al dente. Stir every couple of minutes so the pasta doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot. Stir in 1 1/2 cups heavy cream and 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Garnish with sliced chives and enjoy!

Tips for Making Chicken Soup with Orzo

• Test the pasta throughout the cooking process. Orzo cooks very quickly which means it’s easy to overcook it also! Just keep a close eye on it and carefully test a noodle here and there until it’s al dente.
• Don’t skimp on the salt and pepper! The ingredient list for this chicken soup recipe is short and sweet, so be sure to season as you add ingredients and then season to taste at the end. Salt and pepper are going to bump up all the delicious flavors of the soup.

Making Chicken and Orzo Soup Ahead of Time

• The orzo will continue to soak up liquid as the soup sits.
• It is still delicious of course but I don’t recommend making this soup more than a few days in advance as the pasta will just continue to soak up the liquid and the texture may be compromised after more than a few days in the fridge.

Storing Leftover Soup

Store leftover chicken and orzo soup in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Freezing Chicken and Orzo Soup

• Freeze chicken orzo soup in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
• Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating Reheating Chicken Soup

• Reheat soup in a saucepan over medium heat until warmed through.
• You may need to add a splash of stock, broth, milk, or cream to loosen up the soup a bit.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper before serving.

Try these easy soup recipes next!

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