Instant Pot Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
What comes to mind when you think of total comfort food? If it’s Instant Pot Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup, you’re spot on! This light and refreshing soup is the perfect way to soothe your soul. Plus, it’s easy to make this homemade chicken soup right in your Instant Pot! With quick and easy preparation, you’ll be savoring this flavorful soup in just minutes. Give your taste buds a treat and enjoy the warm and comforting flavors of Instant Pot Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup.
I know if you follow my blog, you have heard me say, we could live off all kinds of soup. This chicken orzo soup recipe is one of my favorites right now. It is so different than a classic chicken and noodle but still gives you that comfort food vibe.
Instant Pot Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
Fall is approaching so colder weather is on the horizon, with busy school schedules and holidays. Soup is super easy to make for me. Plus the leftovers are fantastic so I can prep and make quick meals down the line. I am all about simplifying my life while still providing healthy dinners for my family.
Is Orzo A Pasta Or Rice
Orzo is a pasta that is rice-shaped. You can cook your Orzo the same way you would rice. This pasta is great for adding texture to your soup and offers a fun twist compared to other pasta shapes.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 TBSP minced garlic
- 1 onion, diced
- 10 oz bag shredded carrots
- 5 cups chicken broth
- 3/4 cup uncooked orzo pasta
- 2 TBSP of fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach
Instructions
-
- Turn on Saute. Add in garlic, onions, and chicken pieces. Saute for several minutes allowing your chicken to partially cook.
- Add in carrots, chicken broth, & orzo. Make sure your orzo is completely covered by broth.
- Once all ingredients have been added to the pot then put the lid on the pot, set the steam valve to closed and push the manual setting and cook for 3 minutes.
- Once the cooking cycle completes, do a controlled quick release (carefully release the steam in short bursts to prevent messy spewing)
- Open the lid, and add in lemon juice and spinach. Give a good stir and give the spinach a few minutes to cook before serving.
-
- Sprinkle well with parmesan cheese for ultimate taste.
Is Orzo A Pasta Or Rice
Orzo is a pasta that is rice-shaped. You can cook your Orzo the same way you would rice. This pasta is great for adding texture to your soup and offers a fun twist compared to other pasta shapes.
Can I Use Pre-Cooked Chicken For Chicken Orzo Soup
Yes, you can use frozen pre-shredded chicken for your soup if you don’t want to make it fresh. You can use raw chicken to cook it up and shred or opt for frozen pre-shredded cooked chicken. Sometimes I will pull frozen shredded chicken I batch cooked earlier to really simplify dinner even more.
Why Make Orzo Soup in Instant Pot
- Fast | You can cook this soup so fast in the Instant Pot. You get that slow simmered flavor in literally a fraction of the time. This is why I always make soup in the Instant Pot.
- Less Energy | If you can about using energy, reach for your IP. This is a great way to cut down energy, as it can use up to 70% less energy than the stove or oven.
- Infuses Flavor | This recipe really infuses the flavors quickly in the IP. It takes minimal time to really blend and marry the spices to give you a rich and savory broth.
What To Serve With Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
- Salad | A light option is a Caesar or side salad next to your soup.
- Dinner Rolls | Offer dinner rolls for a dipper for your soup. Or slather with butter for a nice light and tender side.
- Crackers | Oyster crackers, saltines, or any other type of cracker is great. You can crumble and top your soup or dip them in the broth one by one.
Is Chicken Orzo Soup Similar To Chicken Noodle Soup
In a sense it is similar but the flavors are different. The lemon really adds a nice citrus twist that makes it feel light and refreshing. While this doesn’t replace chicken noodle soup, it is a great alternative to add to your soup rotation.
Instant Pot Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
What comes to mind when you think of total comfort food? If it's Instant Pot Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup, you're spot on! This light and refreshing soup is the perfect way to soothe your soul. Plus, it's easy to make this homemade chicken soup right in your Instant Pot!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 TBSP minced garlic
- 1 onion, diced
- 10 oz bag shredded carrots
- 5 cups chicken broth
- 3/4 cup uncooked orzo pasta
- 2 TBSP fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach
Instructions
- Turn on Saute. Add in garlic, onions and chicken pieces. Saute for several minutes allowing your chicken to partially cook.
- Add in carrots, chicken broth, & orzo. Make sure your orzo is completely covered by broth.
- Once all ingredients have been added to the pot then put the lid on the pot, set the steam valve to closed and push the manual setting and cook for 3 minutes.
- Once cooking cycle completes, do a controlled quick release (carefully release the steam in short burst to prevent messy spewing)
- Open lid, add in lemon juice and spinach. Give a good stir and give the spinach a few minutes to cook before serving.
- Sprinkle well with parmesan cheese for ultimate taste.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 235Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 72mgSodium: 710mgCarbohydrates: 22gFiber: 2gSugar: 4gProtein: 18g
I’m Melissa, the imaginative force behind Sparkles to Sprinkles, where creativity comes to life, and sprinkles of joy are scattered generously. Melissa is a proud Jersey girl who found love with a New York boy. As a mom to four wonderful boys and a few fur babies, her journey into the world of blogging began after making the life-changing decision to stay home and raise her children. Previously a dedicated workaholic, Melissa’s blog became her creative outlet and passion project. Inspired by her mother-in-law, a masterful cook renowned for her delicious home-cooked meals and legendary holiday feasts (think mouthwatering sausage stuffing), Melissa honed her culinary skills through a combination of family recipes and countless cooking classes. She often attended these classes with her son Michael, who shared her enthusiasm for cooking from a young age. Melissa’s love for learning extends beyond familiar cuisines, as she enjoys exploring international recipes in hands-on cooking classes. Her blog features a diverse array of recipes, showcasing her expertise with various kitchen appliances such as the Instant Pot, air fryer, Slow Cooker, Ninja Foodi, Instant Vortex Plus, and more. Join Melissa on her culinary adventures as she shares tried-and-true family favorites alongside exciting new discoveries!
