Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
on Oct 01, 2023, Updated Jan 20, 2025
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The Stay Fit Mom coaches raved about this Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup in our chat group a few weeks ago. I didn’t even realize it was such a hit!! This one dropped in our exclusive Ninja Insider archives over a year ago, and today it’s debuting on the blog for all of you! Dust off your soup pot or pressure cooker, it’s soup season and we’re ringing it in with Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup!

Try this easy Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup next time you need a warm and cozy dinner that the family will love. Simple ingredients, one pot, and about 45 minutes is all it takes to create a flavorful soup loaded with veggies, chicken, and orzo. It’s a perfect make ahead meal or simple enough to throw together any night of the week.
Table of Contents
Can I make Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup in my Instant Pot?
Yes! Instructions for both your Instant Pot and over the stove below.
Is this Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup Dairy Free?
Yes! No substitutions needed for this one!

Can I make Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup Gluten Free?
Yes! Use a gluten free orzo or small pasta, short-grain rice, arborio rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice.
Can I make Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup with different meat?
Yes of course! This would be great with ground turkey, beef or even some sausage. Just keep in mind that changing the meat will change the macros and you would need to recalculate them if you track macronutrients.
I hope you love this recipe as much as I do. Tag me on Instagram if you make it! I absolutely love seeing you guys making my recipes and sharing, it means a lot.

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Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 large carrots, diced (200g)
- 5 celery stalks, diced (200g)
- 1 large yellow onion, diced (200g)
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast
- 64 ounces chicken broth
- 200 g orzo pasta, 1 heaping cup
- 4 handfuls chopped kale, 150g
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon dill
- 1 lemon
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a large pot over medium high heat, or in your Instant Pot on sauté mode, begin heating up the olive oil. Add the carrots, onions, celery, salt and pepper. Cook until the onions become translucent and the veggies are soft.
- Add the chicken, broth, and remaining seasonings. Bring to a simmer and let cook 30 minutes, or until you can shred the chicken. If using an Instant Pot, push the soup setting, or manual pressure normal, and set for 15 minutes. Quick release the pressure when done and shred the chicken.
- Add the orzo and kale. Simmer another 10 minutes, or until the orzo is cooked. In the Instant Pot use the same settings as above, set pressure for 1 minute. Quick release when finished.
- Squeeze in the juice of 1/2 the lemon (or more if you prefer) and some of the zest. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition




It doesn’t say how to prep the chicken… cube it? Shred it ?
Hi! Step 3 of the instructions say to dice up the chicken and season it. I typically dice mine into 1.5-2″ pieces.
Can you make this in a slow cooker?
Hi Lindsey, Yes the slow cooker would work well for this one. I would saute the veggies over the stove and then transfer it all to the slow cooker.
My whole family LOVED this! Will absolutely make again!
Ahhhmazing!! Followed the directions as is and came out perfect! Thank you!!🤩
So happy to hear that! Enjoy!!