Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Orzo Soup
This Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Orzo Soup is a delightful and comforting one-pot meal that comes together quickly in your Instant Pot. Bursting with fresh flavors, this soup combines tender chicken, hearty vegetables, and the bright tang of lemon, all enveloped in a rich, creamy broth. Enjoy it any time of the year for a nourishing and satisfying dish that warms the soul. Perfect for busy weeknights or when you need to impress guests with minimal effort. Make a big batch and savor leftovers that taste even better the next day!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
Grapeseed oil
1 tablespoon (none)
Chicken (cut into bite-sized pieces)
1 lb (cut into bite-sized pieces)
Garlic cloves
3 (minced)
Medium onion
1 (diced)
Carrots
2 cups (peeled and diced)
Celery stalks
2 (diced)
Chicken broth
8 cups (none)
Bay leaf
1 (none)
Uncooked orzo pasta
1 cup (none)
Fresh rosemary sprig
1 (none)
Lemon juice
1 (juice of 1 lemon)
Salt and pepper
1/2 teaspoon each (to taste)
Frozen spinach
1/2 cup (none)
Heavy cream
1/2 cup (none)
Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup (shredded, for serving)
Instructions
1
1. Begin by setting your Instant Pot to 'SAUTE' mode. Heat the grapeseed oil, then add the diced onions and minced garlic. Sauté for about 2 minutes until the onions are translucent and fragrant.
2
2. Add the bite-sized pieces of chicken to the pot, stirring to combine with the onions and garlic. Spread the chicken evenly in the pot and allow it to cook for about 3 minutes until slightly browned.
3
3. Mix in the diced carrots and celery, followed by the uncooked orzo pasta, salt, pepper, and chicken broth. Stir well to ensure all ingredients are combined.
4
4. Press 'Cancel' to stop the sautéing mode, then close the Instant Pot lid, ensuring the vent is in the sealing position.
5
5. Set the Instant Pot to 'Pressure Cook' on high for 6 minutes. Once the cooking cycle is complete and the timer beeps, perform a quick release of the pressure carefully.
6
6. Open the lid and give the soup a good stir. Remove the bay leaf and sprig of rosemary, discarding them.
7
7. Stir in the frozen spinach and the fresh lemon juice until well combined. Press 'SAUTE' again, allowing the soup to come to a gentle boil for about a minute.
8
8. Create the creamy finish by mixing in the heavy cream, stirring well until heated through.
9
9. Serve hot, garnished with shredded Parmesan cheese for an extra layer of flavor!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Orzo Soup?
It is a comforting one-pot meal made in an Instant Pot featuring chicken, orzo, vegetables, and a lemon-garlic cream broth.
Which kitchen appliance is used for this recipe?
This recipe is designed to be made quickly using an Instant Pot.
How do I start the cooking process?
Begin by setting your Instant Pot to SAUTE mode and heating the grapeseed oil.
How long should I saute the onions and garlic?
Saute the diced onions and minced garlic for about 2 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
When do I add the chicken to the pot?
Add the bite-sized chicken pieces after sauteing the onions and garlic.
How long does the chicken need to cook during the saute phase?
Allow the chicken to cook for about 3 minutes until it is slightly browned.
Which vegetables are included in this soup?
This soup includes diced onions, carrots, celery, and frozen spinach.
Do I need to cook the orzo pasta before adding it to the pot?
No, you should add uncooked orzo pasta directly to the Instant Pot.
What seasonings are used in this recipe?
The recipe uses garlic, salt, pepper, a bay leaf, and a sprig of fresh rosemary.
How much chicken broth is required?
You will need 8 cups of chicken broth for this recipe.
What pressure setting should I use?
Set the Instant Pot to Pressure Cook on high for 6 minutes.
How should I release the pressure?
Perform a quick release of the pressure carefully once the cooking cycle is complete.
What should I do after opening the lid?
Stir the soup and remove the bay leaf and rosemary sprig before discarding them.
When is the frozen spinach added?
Stir in the frozen spinach after the pressure cooking is done and the lid is opened.
When should I add the lemon juice?
Add the fresh lemon juice at the same time as the frozen spinach.
How do I make the broth creamy?
Mix in heavy cream at the end and stir well until it is heated through.
What is a good garnish for this soup?
Shredded Parmesan cheese is recommended as a garnish for an extra layer of flavor.
Can I use this recipe for meal prep?
Yes, the description notes that leftovers taste even better the next day, making it great for meal prep.
Is this a one-pot meal?
Yes, this is a delightful and comforting one-pot meal that comes together quickly in your Instant Pot.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
The recipe calls for 3 minced garlic cloves.
What type of oil is used?
The recipe specifies using 1 tablespoon of grapeseed oil.
How much orzo is used?
You will need 1 cup of uncooked orzo pasta.
How much heavy cream is needed?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of heavy cream added at the end of cooking.
What is the total ingredient count?
There are 15 ingredients used in this recipe.
How much spinach is used?
You will need 1/2 cup of frozen spinach for this soup.
How much chicken is needed?
The recipe requires 1 lb of chicken cut into bite-sized pieces.
How many carrots and celery stalks are used?
Use 2 cups of peeled and diced carrots and 2 diced celery stalks.
How much lemon juice is needed?
You need the juice of one fresh lemon to provide a bright tang.
Does the recipe contain fresh herbs?
Yes, it uses one fresh rosemary sprig which is removed before serving.
Is there a specific mode to use at the end of cooking?
Yes, use the SAUTE mode again briefly to bring the soup to a gentle boil for about a minute before adding the cream.