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Chicken Orzo Tomato Soup Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 116 reviews

This comforting Chicken Orzo Tomato Soup blends savory sautéed garlic and rich tomato paste with tender orzo pasta and shredded chicken in a creamy, flavorful broth. Finished with a hint of fresh lemon juice and served with Parmesan and herbs, it’s a hearty Italian-American soup perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Sauce and Broth Base

  • 2 tablespoons DeLallo Private Reserve Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced or minced
  • 1/4 cup DeLallo Tomato Paste
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • Salt to taste

Pasta and Protein

  • 1 cup DeLallo Orzo Pasta
  • 2 cups chopped or shredded cooked chicken (pulled rotisserie chicken meat recommended)

Finishing Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1–2 cups water as needed for desired consistency
  • Parmesan cheese, herbs (such as parsley or basil), red pepper flakes, and lemon for serving
  • Bread for serving
  • Pesto for serving (optional; recipe notes included)

Instructions

  1. Sauté Garlic: Heat the olive oil in a soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until soft and fragrant, making sure it does not brown to avoid bitterness.
  2. Cook Tomato Paste and Seasoning: Stir in the tomato paste and Italian seasoning. Cook for about 5 minutes until the tomato paste caramelizes and deepens to a rich red color, enhancing the soup’s flavor.
  3. Add Broth and Season: Gradually pour in the chicken broth, stirring to form a smooth liquid. Season with salt starting with 1/2 teaspoon and adjust to taste depending on broth saltiness.
  4. Cook Orzo: Add the orzo pasta and bring the soup to a gentle simmer. Cook for about 10 minutes until the orzo is tender. Add water or extra broth as needed to reach preferred soup consistency. Stir in the heavy cream for a creamy texture.
  5. Add Chicken and Lemon: Stir in the chopped cooked chicken. Squeeze a generous amount of fresh lemon juice into the soup to brighten and awaken the flavors.
  6. Serve: Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with grated Parmesan, fresh herbs, and red pepper flakes to taste. Serve with warm crusty bread and optional pesto for dipping.

Notes

  • Use a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven to prevent burning the garlic and tomato paste during sautéing.
  • Pesto pairs beautifully with this soup and can be made by blending fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan, and olive oil.
  • Rotisserie chicken is a convenient shortcut, but leftover cooked chicken works perfectly as well.
  • Adjust the water or broth to your preferred soup thickness; some like it more stew-like, others more broth-focused.
  • Lemon juice is key for balancing the richness of the cream and adding a fresh zing.

Keywords: Chicken Soup, Orzo Soup, Tomato Soup, Comfort Food, Easy Dinner, Quick Soup Recipe

Find it online: https://liamjayne.com/chicken-orzo-tomato-soup-recipe/