This Lemon Chicken and Chard Orzo Soup is a fantastic filling meal that is somewhere between a stew and a soup – a stew if you like! It’s full of veggie, herby and chickeny goodness. I use an Italian technique to add a deeper flavor to this soup by adding some parmesan rind to the orzo when it’s cooking. This allows the cheesy umami to infuse the broth. Delicious!
In this recipe I start by searing the chicken which brings extra flavor. Then I start to assemble the soup by first frying the veggies and then pouring in stock, herbs and salt before adding chicken, orzo and parmesan rind. At the end of the cooking process I remove the parmesan rind, add some chard and the secret ingredient: zest and juice of a lemon.
To make Lemon Chicken and Chard Orzo Soup, you will need the following ingredients:
Pound each chicken breast until it is about ½ inch thick. Season the meat on both sides with salt and pepper to taste.
In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat 3 tbsp of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sear until it has browned lightly all over.
Remove the chicken and set to one side. Leave the remaining oil in the pot.
Add the onion, carrots and celery to the oil and fry them for about 3 minutes. Then add the garlic and continue to cook for another minute.
Add the chicken broth to the pot along with the basil, oregano, thyme and rosemary. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Chop chicken into little pieces. then return it to the soup pot and allow it to come to a simmer.
Stir in the orzo and the parmesan rind. Turn the heat down to medium-low. Cover the pot and simmer for about 8-10 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked.
Keep the soup on the heat. Remove the parmesan rind. Discard it.
Add the lemon juice, lemon zest and chard, simmer for another 5 minutes.
Serve this soup warm with some Parmesan cheese on top to garnish.
This Lemon Chicken and Chard Orzo Soup recipe is a delicious, fresh and healthy soup. Try it out soon and don’t forget to come back here and leave a review for me.
