Prep-Ahead Slow Cooker Lemony Chicken Orzo Soup
Looking for a delicious and easy slow cooker soup recipe? Try our Prep-Ahead Slow Cooker Lemony Chicken Orzo Soup! Perfect for busy weeknights and meal-prepping.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs chicken breasts boneless, or tenders
- 1 cup celery chopped, approx 2 ribs
- 1 cup carrots sliced, 2 medium or 12 baby carrots
- 1/2 cup onion diced
- 1 tablespoon dried rosemary
- 1/2 tablespoon dried thyme
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 2 small bay leaves
- 1 qt low sodium chicken broth
- Sea Salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- 3/4 cup orzo pasta
- 1-1/2 tablespoon lemon juice 1/4 fresh lemon squeezed
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
For Serving:
- Fresh parsley to taste
- grated Parmesan cheese to taste
- Hot Crusty French Bread or rolls
Instructions
- Place chicken, celery, carrots, onion, rosemary, thyme, garlic and bay leaves in a 4 quart slow cooker.
- Add chicken broth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are soft.
- Shred chicken with two forks.
- Add orzo and lemon juice to slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on high 15-20 minutes or until pasta is cooked al dente.
- Stir in fresh parsley. Adjust seasonings if desired, remembering that the parmesan will add saltiness to the final product.
- Ladle into soup bowls and top with additional parsley and parmesan cheese if desired. Serve with hot crusty bread on the side.
- Enjoy!
Disclaimer
Some parts of recipe maybe AI-generated.
Notes
This recipe was originally created as a make ahead freezer meal. The idea is while prepping, double the ingredients and use one-half for dinner that night and place one-half into a freezer bag for another day. It is a great way to get dinner on the table for yourself and create a meal for the future or to prep and gift to a friend in need. It is always much appreciated! The ingredient amounts shown below are for a single recipe made in the slow cooker. It could easily be converted to prepare on the stove-top or in an Instant Pot.
If preparing as a freezer meal, you can substitute 4 teaspoons of Better Than Bouillon Chicken Flavor to the freezer bag then add 4 cups of water on cooking day rather than chicken stock.
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be substituted if desired.
If preparing as a freezer meal, you can substitute 4 teaspoons of Better Than Bouillon Chicken Flavor to the freezer bag then add 4 cups of water on cooking day rather than chicken stock.
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be substituted if desired.
Nutrition
Calories: 368kcal (18%)Carbohydrates: 31g (10%)Protein: 46g (92%)Fat: 7g (11%)Saturated Fat: 2g (13%)Polyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 109mg (36%)Sodium: 318mg (14%)Potassium: 1145mg (33%)Fiber: 3g (13%)Sugar: 4g (4%)Vitamin A: 6188IU (124%)Vitamin C: 17mg (21%)Calcium: 77mg (8%)Iron: 3mg (17%)
Disclaimer
Nutritional information for this recipe is an approximation and is not to be construed as medical advice.
