Simple ingredients make this delicious Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup an easy to make weeknight favorite. It’s clean-eating and hearty, and ready in 35 minutes!
Dice the chicken into bite-size cubes. This is easiest to do if the chicken is just slightly frozen.
Season the chicken cubes with the salt and pepper.
Heat a stock pot with 1 tbsp. olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook until well-browned, stirring occasionally, about 8-10 minutes. Once browned, remove from stock pot and set aside, reserving the drippings in the pot.
Add the remaining oil to the pot.
Add the onion, carrots, and celery and cook until the onion is tender, about 6 minutes.
Add the garlic and cook for an additional minute, until fragrant.
Add the thyme, rosemary, chicken stock, and orzo and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium and simmer, uncovered, until orzo and carrots are tender, approx. 10-12 minutes.
Add the lemon juice and parsley and stir to combine.
Season to taste.
*If storing for later, you will likely need to add additional chicken stock upon reheating since the orzo will absorb more liquid if not eaten right away.