Description
A creamy slow cooker soup with tender chicken, silky orzo, Parmesan, and bright lemon.
Ingredients
Scale
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs 1½ lb (680 g)
- Olive oil 1 tbsp
- Yellow onion finely chopped 1 medium
- Garlic cloves minced 4
- Carrots sliced 2 medium
- Celery stalks sliced 2
- Low-sodium chicken broth 6 cups (1.4 L)
- Lemon zest from 1 lemon
- Fresh lemon juice ¼ cup (60 ml)
- Dried oregano 1 tsp
- Dried thyme ½ tsp
- Kosher salt 1 tsp (adjust to taste)
- Black pepper ½ tsp
- Orzo pasta ¾ cup (150 g)
- Heavy cream or half-and-half ½ cup (120 ml)
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese ¾ cup (75 g)
- Fresh spinach or kale 2 cups
Optional toppings
- Extra Parmesan
- Fresh parsley or dill
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Add the chicken to the slow cooker and drizzle with olive oil.
- Scatter onion, garlic, carrots, and celery over the chicken.
- Pour in the chicken broth, then add lemon zest, oregano, thyme, salt, and black pepper.
- Cover and cook on Low for 6–7 hours or High for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is very tender.
- Remove the chicken and shred it using two forks. Return shredded chicken to the slow cooker.
- Stir in the orzo pasta. Cover and cook on High for 20–25 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until the orzo is tender.
- Reduce heat to Low. Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan until smooth and creamy.
- Add fresh lemon juice and stir in the spinach until just wilted.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice if needed.
- Ladle into bowls and finish with extra Parmesan, herbs, and lemon wedges if desired.
Notes
- If the soup thickens as it rests, add warm broth to loosen before serving.
- For a lighter version, use half-and-half and reduce the cheese slightly.
- Stir frequently after adding orzo to prevent sticking.
- Prep Time: 15 Minutes
- Cook Time: 6–7 hours on Low or 3–4 hours on High
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving
- Calories: 410Kcal
- Fat: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
Keywords: Lemon Parmesan Chicken Orzo Soup