Description
A comforting and hearty Chicken Orzo Tomato Soup combining tender shredded chicken, flavorful tomato paste, aromatic garlic, and tender orzo pasta in a creamy, savory broth. This quick 30-minute soup is perfect for a cozy meal, garnished with Parmesan, fresh herbs, and a bright splash of lemon.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons DeLallo Private Reserve Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced or minced
- 1/4 cup DeLallo Tomato Paste
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 4 cups chicken broth
- Salt to taste
- 1 cup DeLallo Orzo Pasta
- 2 cups chopped or shredded cooked chicken (pulled rotisserie chicken meat recommended)
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1-2 cups water as needed for desired consistency
For Garnish and Serving
- Parmesan cheese, grated
- Fresh herbs (such as parsley or basil)
- Red pepper flakes, to taste
- Fresh lemon juice
- Bread for serving
- Pesto for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Sauté Garlic: Heat the olive oil in a soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the thinly sliced or minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until soft and fragrant, being careful not to let it brown to avoid bitterness.
- Cook Tomato Paste and Seasoning: Stir in the tomato paste and Italian seasoning. Continue to cook for about 5 minutes until the tomato paste caramelizes and deepens into a rich red color, which intensifies the soup’s flavor.
- Add Broth and Season: Gradually pour in the chicken broth while stirring to create a smooth, combined liquid. Season with salt starting with 1/2 teaspoon, then adjust according to the saltiness of your broth.
- Cook Orzo: Add the orzo pasta to the pot and bring the soup to a gentle simmer. Continue cooking for around 10 minutes, or until the orzo is tender. Add 1 to 2 cups of water or extra broth as necessary to reach your desired soup consistency. Stir in the heavy cream to make the soup creamy and rich.
- Add Chicken and Lemon: Mix in the chopped or shredded cooked chicken. Squeeze a generous amount of fresh lemon juice into the soup to brighten and enhance all the flavors.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls. Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese, fresh herbs, and red pepper flakes according to taste. Serve alongside warm crusty bread. Optionally, enjoy the bread with pesto for dipping before eating with the soup.
Notes
- Using pulled rotisserie chicken makes preparation quick and adds great flavor.
- If you prefer a thinner soup, add more water or broth until you reach your desired consistency.
- Be careful not to brown the garlic at the start to prevent a bitter taste.
- Pesto is optional but adds a lovely herbal depth when paired with the bread.
- Fresh lemon juice added at the end really brightens the overall flavor profile.
