Greek Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

Serves 4 · 15 min prep · 35 min cook

Ingredients

• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 3/4 cup dry orzo pasta
• 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
• 1 1/4 tsp kosher salt
• 3/4 tsp black pepper
• 2 cups baby spinach

Instructions

1. 1Pat the chicken thighs dry and season both sides with salt and pepper.
2. 2Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken and sear 4–5 minutes per side until golden; transfer to a plate (it will finish cooking in the broth).
3. 3Reduce heat to medium. Add onion, carrots, and celery to the pot and cook 5–6 minutes, stirring, until softened and lightly golden at the edges.
4. 4Stir in garlic and cook 45 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits, and bring to a boil.
5. 5Return chicken to the pot, reduce heat to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook 12 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F internally.
6. 6Remove chicken to a cutting board. Stir orzo into the simmering broth and cook uncovered 8–9 minutes, stirring occasionally, until al dente.
7. 7While orzo cooks, shred the chicken with two forks into bite-size pieces.
8. 8In a medium bowl, whisk eggs with lemon juice and zest until frothy. Slowly ladle hot broth into the egg mixture while whisking constantly to temper.
9. 9Reduce soup heat to low. Stir the tempered egg-lemon mixture back into the pot in a slow stream, stirring continuously for 1–2 minutes until the broth turns silky and slightly thickened (do not boil).
10. 10Return shredded chicken and spinach to the pot; cook 1–2 minutes until spinach wilts. Stir in dill, remaining salt and pepper, and taste for brightness.
11. 11Ladle into bowls and finish with extra dill or a lemon wedge. Soup reheats gently on the stove with a splash of broth if it thickens.