Lemon Chicken and White Bean Soup

A white soup tureen filled with a chicken broth based soup with chicken, carrots, spinach and baby kale on a white table with cut lemons and bread in the background.

3.67 from 3 votes

This simple take on a Greek Lemon Chicken and Orzo Soup uses rotisserie chicken, white beans, and shredded spinach. It's an easy weeknight dinner that can be pulled together in about 30 minutes.

Prep Time15

Cook Time15

Total Time30

Course: Soup

Cuisine: Mediterranean

Keyword: Chicken Noodle Soup, Greek, Lemon, Orzo

Servings:

Calories: 300kcal

Equipment

1 Dutch oven

Ingredients

1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
½ cup chopped sweet onion
1 cup sliced carrots
1 tsp. dry rosemary
1 minced garlic clove
12 oz shredded chicken about 1 small rotisserie chicken
1 tsp. lemon zest from 1 lemon
1 15 oz. can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed low salt if available
6 cups low salt chicken broth
3 tbsp lemon juice freshly squeezed
1 cup dry orzo or other small pasta
4 cups shredded baby spinach about 3 oz.
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

In a large stock pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. When hot, add the chopped onion, carrots, rosemary, and garlic and saute for about 4 minutes until the onion and carrots are tender and translucent.
Add the shredded chicken, beans, and lemon zest and stir to combine all the ingredients well.
Add the chicken broth and lemon juice and heat it until it just starts to boil. Then add the orzo and cook for about 6 minutes.
Stir in the shredded spinach and cook for 1 minute, just until wilted. The orzo should be al dente. Stir in some salt and pepper and a splash of lemon juice just before serving.
Serve with a whole grain roll and salad on the side.

Notes

You can also use a mix of baby spinach and kale or other greens in place of just spinach and replace the cannellini beans with chickpeas if desired.

If freezing the soup for later, hold off on adding the orzo until you are ready to eat it. Add it while reheating the soup and then enjoy. This will prevent it from soaking up all the liquid and becoming mushy.

Nutrition