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Lemon Ginger Chicken Soup Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 51 reviews

A soothing and flavorful Lemon Ginger Chicken Soup, perfect for a comforting meal. This hearty soup combines tender chicken, aromatic ginger, and bright lemon juice with wholesome vegetables and tender orzo pasta, creating a delicious and nutritious dish that’s easy to prepare.

Ingredients

Scale

Proteins and Fats

  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1.5 lbs boneless chicken breasts, cut into bite size pieces (or 18 oz. already cooked chicken)
  • 1 Tbsp unsalted butter

Vegetables and Aromatics

  • 3 medium carrots (170g), finely chopped
  • 3 stalks celery (110g), finely chopped
  • 1 medium onion (200g), chopped
  • 1 Tbsp ginger, finely chopped or minced

Spices and Seasonings

  • 1/2 Tbsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp salt, more to taste
  • Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

Others

  • 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 48 oz. chicken stock or broth
  • 1 cup orzo pasta (200g) or other short pasta like acini di pepe
  • 1–2 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice, more to taste

Instructions

  1. Heat Oils and Cook Chicken: In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, heat the olive oil and unsalted butter until melted and shimmering. Add the boneless chicken pieces and cook until lightly browned on all sides but not fully cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
  2. Sauté Vegetables and Aromatics: In the same pot, add chopped onions, carrots, celery, and ginger. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened and the onions are translucent, about 5-6 minutes.
  3. Add Spices and Flour: Stir in Italian seasoning, turmeric, salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and all-purpose flour. Cook the mixture for 1-2 minutes to toast the flour and spices, which will help thicken the soup.
  4. Add Stock and Simmer: Gradually pour in the chicken stock while stirring to avoid lumps. Return the partially cooked chicken to the pot. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce heat to low and let it simmer gently for about 15 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and chicken to finish cooking.
  5. Cook Orzo Pasta: Add the orzo pasta to the simmering soup. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender but still firm to the bite, about 8-10 minutes.
  6. Finish with Lemon Juice: Remove the soup from heat and stir in freshly squeezed lemon juice. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.

Notes

  • You can use pre-cooked chicken to save time; add it towards the end to warm through.
  • Orzo adds a lovely texture but can be substituted with other small pasta shapes like acini di pepe or small shells.
  • Adjust the amount of lemon juice to your taste preferences for balance between tang and savoriness.
  • For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and use gluten-free pasta.
  • This soup stores well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and freezes well without the pasta for up to 2 months.

Keywords: lemon ginger chicken soup, chicken soup with orzo, comforting chicken soup, healthy chicken soup, ginger chicken broth

Find it online: https://busyrecipe.com/lemon-ginger-chicken-soup-recipe/