Description
This comforting Chicken Vegetable Soup is a hearty and nutritious dish made with tender shredded chicken, fresh vegetables, and orzo pasta simmered in a flavorful chicken broth. Perfect for a cozy meal, this soup is both easy to prepare and packed with wholesome ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 yellow onion (chopped)
- 2 celery stalks (chopped)
- 2 carrots (cut into half-circles)
- 4 garlic cloves (minced)
Seasonings
- 1 1/4 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- 3 tablespoons minced flat-leaf parsley
Soup Base and Protein
- 6 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken breast
- 2/3 cup orzo pasta
- 3/4 cups frozen peas
Instructions
- Sauté the Vegetables: Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, celery, and carrots. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened, about 7 to 10 minutes. Add the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and ground pepper, and cook for an additional 1 minute to release the flavors.
- Simmer the Broth: Pour in the low sodium chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat slightly and let it simmer at a lively simmer for 10 minutes to develop the soup’s flavor.
- Cook the Orzo: Stir in the orzo pasta and continue cooking until the orzo is al dente, approximately 7 to 10 minutes. Stir frequently to prevent the orzo from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- Add Chicken and Peas: Stir in the cooked shredded chicken and frozen peas. Heat everything through, about 2 to 3 minutes, ensuring the soup is hot and the peas are tender.
- Season and Garnish: Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Finally, stir in the minced flat-leaf parsley for a fresh herbal finish. Serve warm.
Notes
- Note 1: For the cooked shredded chicken breast, you can poach chicken breasts in water or broth until cooked through, then shred with two forks.
- Note 2: Orzo pasta is a rice-shaped pasta that cooks quickly and adds a lovely texture to the soup. If unavailable, small pasta shapes like acini di pepe or ditalini can be substituted.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: chicken soup, vegetable soup, healthy soup, easy chicken recipe, orzo soup, low sodium soup, comforting meal
