Greek Lemon Chicken Soup Simple and Tasty Recipe

Are you ready to warm up with a bowl of Greek Lemon Chicken Soup? This simple, tasty recipe combines fresh flavors and wholesome ingredients. You’ll love how easy it is to prepare this comforting dish, perfect for any day. From savory chicken and vibrant herbs to a hint of tangy lemon, this soup will delight your taste buds. Let’s dive into the ingredients and get cooking!

Ingredients

List of Ingredients

– 1 tablespoon olive oil

– 1 medium onion, diced

– 3 garlic cloves, minced

– 3 medium carrots, sliced

– 2 celery stalks, chopped

– 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast (cut into bite-sized pieces)

– 4 cups chicken broth

– 1 cup water

– 1 cup orzo pasta (or rice)

– 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

– 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

– Zest and juice of 2 large lemons

– 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped

– Salt to taste

– Fresh dill for garnish

For this Greek lemon chicken soup, I use fresh, quality ingredients. First, I start with olive oil and fresh vegetables. The onion adds sweetness. Garlic gives it a nice depth. Carrots and celery add crunch and flavor.

Next, I choose chicken breast. It cooks quickly and stays tender. I also use chicken broth. It gives the soup a rich base. Water helps balance the flavors.

For pasta, I like orzo. It’s small and cooks fast. You can swap it for rice if you prefer. Seasonings are key. I use dried thyme and black pepper for a warm taste.

Then, I add the zest and juice of lemons. They bring bright flavor. Fresh spinach adds color and nutrients. Garnish with dill for a lovely finish.

You can find the full recipe above to see how to put all these ingredients together!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparation Steps

Cooking the base ingredients

Start by heating the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Once hot, add the diced onion. Cook the onion for about five minutes until it turns soft and clear. Next, add minced garlic and cook for one more minute. The kitchen will smell great! After that, toss in the sliced carrots and chopped celery. Sauté these for three to four minutes until they start to soften.

Adding chicken and liquids

Now it’s time for the chicken. Add the bite-sized pieces of chicken breast to the pot. Cook them for about five minutes until they turn light brown, stirring often. After the chicken is cooked, pour in the chicken broth and water. Bring this mixture to a gentle simmer.

Incorporating pasta and greens

Once simmering, stir in the orzo pasta or rice, dried thyme, and black pepper. Add salt to taste as well. Cook this for about eight to ten minutes until the pasta is tender. After the pasta has cooked, add the lemon zest, lemon juice, and chopped spinach. Stir everything together and let it cook for another two minutes until the spinach wilts. Now, your soup is ready to serve! For the full recipe, you can refer back to the ingredients section.

Tips & Tricks

Flavor Enhancement Tips

Adjusting lemon flavor

To tweak the lemon flavor, use fresh juice and zest. Start with less lemon juice if you want a mild taste. Add more juice in small amounts until you find your favorite balance.

Recommended seasoning variations

You can try adding herbs like oregano or parsley. These herbs bring a new twist to the soup. A pinch of cayenne pepper adds a warm kick if you like spice.

Cooking methods suggestions

You can cook this soup on the stove or in a slow cooker. For a quick meal, use the stove method. It takes about 35 minutes in total. The slow cooker is great for busy days. Just set it and let it work while you’re out.

Try the [Full Recipe] for all the steps and enjoy a bowl of this warm goodness!

Variations

Dietary Modifications

Gluten-free options: You can easily make this soup gluten-free. Just swap orzo for rice or gluten-free pasta. This keeps the soup tasty without the gluten.

Vegetarian adaptations: To make a vegetarian version, skip the chicken. Use chickpeas or lentils for protein. Replace chicken broth with vegetable broth for flavor. Add extra veggies like zucchini or bell peppers.

Ingredient substitutions: You can change some ingredients based on what you have. Use frozen spinach if fresh is not available. Swap out carrots for peas or green beans. If you do not have fresh dill, try parsley or basil for a different taste.

These variations help you enjoy Greek lemon chicken soup in many ways. Each twist keeps the dish fun and exciting. For the complete recipe, check the [Full Recipe].

Storage Info

Refrigeration and Freezing

To keep your Greek Lemon Chicken Soup fresh, store it in an airtight container. This helps lock in flavor and prevents spills. If you have leftovers, let the soup cool first. It should cool for about 30 minutes before you store it.

When refrigerated, the soup lasts about 3 to 4 days. If you want to keep it longer, freezing is a great option. Pour the cooled soup into freezer-safe bags or containers. Make sure to leave some space at the top, as liquids expand when frozen. In the freezer, it can last up to 3 months.

For reheating, remove the soup from the fridge or freezer. If frozen, let it thaw overnight in the fridge. When ready to eat, warm the soup in a pot over low heat. Stir it often to ensure even heating. You can also use the microwave. Heat it in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring every minute until hot.

By following these storage tips, you can enjoy your Greek Lemon Chicken Soup later without losing its great taste. Check the Full Recipe for all the details on making this delicious dish!

FAQs

What to serve with Greek Lemon Chicken Soup?

You can serve Greek Lemon Chicken Soup with crusty bread. A slice of warm, fresh bread pairs well. It soaks up the soup’s tangy broth. A simple salad also makes a great side. Try a Greek salad with feta and olives. This adds freshness and balances the soup’s flavors.

Can I use leftover chicken?

Yes, leftover chicken is perfect for this soup. It saves time and adds great flavor. Just shred or chop the chicken into small pieces. Add it to the pot when you combine the broth. This way, the chicken heats through without overcooking.

How to make it creamier?

To make it creamier, add a splash of heavy cream. Stir it in just before serving. You can also mix in some Greek yogurt. This adds creaminess and a nice tang. If you want a thicker soup, use less broth. Enjoy the smooth, rich texture!

For the full recipe, visit [Full Recipe].

In this blog post, we explored how to make Greek Lemon Chicken Soup. We covered the key ingredients, such as olive oil, chicken, and fresh vegetables. You learned the step-by-step process, from cooking the base to adding pasta. I shared tips for enhancing flavors and dietary variations for everyone. Finally, we discussed storage and reheating practices to keep your soup fresh. Enjoy this warm dish and feel free to experiment with flavors. It’s a fun and tasty way to share a meal with others.

- 1 tablespoon olive oil - 1 medium onion, diced - 3 garlic cloves, minced - 3 medium carrots, sliced - 2 celery stalks, chopped - 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast (cut into bite-sized pieces) - 4 cups chicken broth - 1 cup water - 1 cup orzo pasta (or rice) - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper - Zest and juice of 2 large lemons - 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped - Salt to taste - Fresh dill for garnish For this Greek lemon chicken soup, I use fresh, quality ingredients. First, I start with olive oil and fresh vegetables. The onion adds sweetness. Garlic gives it a nice depth. Carrots and celery add crunch and flavor. Next, I choose chicken breast. It cooks quickly and stays tender. I also use chicken broth. It gives the soup a rich base. Water helps balance the flavors. For pasta, I like orzo. It’s small and cooks fast. You can swap it for rice if you prefer. Seasonings are key. I use dried thyme and black pepper for a warm taste. Then, I add the zest and juice of lemons. They bring bright flavor. Fresh spinach adds color and nutrients. Garnish with dill for a lovely finish. You can find the full recipe above to see how to put all these ingredients together! Cooking the base ingredients Start by heating the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Once hot, add the diced onion. Cook the onion for about five minutes until it turns soft and clear. Next, add minced garlic and cook for one more minute. The kitchen will smell great! After that, toss in the sliced carrots and chopped celery. Sauté these for three to four minutes until they start to soften. Adding chicken and liquids Now it’s time for the chicken. Add the bite-sized pieces of chicken breast to the pot. Cook them for about five minutes until they turn light brown, stirring often. After the chicken is cooked, pour in the chicken broth and water. Bring this mixture to a gentle simmer. Incorporating pasta and greens Once simmering, stir in the orzo pasta or rice, dried thyme, and black pepper. Add salt to taste as well. Cook this for about eight to ten minutes until the pasta is tender. After the pasta has cooked, add the lemon zest, lemon juice, and chopped spinach. Stir everything together and let it cook for another two minutes until the spinach wilts. Now, your soup is ready to serve! For the full recipe, you can refer back to the ingredients section. Adjusting lemon flavor To tweak the lemon flavor, use fresh juice and zest. Start with less lemon juice if you want a mild taste. Add more juice in small amounts until you find your favorite balance. Recommended seasoning variations You can try adding herbs like oregano or parsley. These herbs bring a new twist to the soup. A pinch of cayenne pepper adds a warm kick if you like spice. Cooking methods suggestions You can cook this soup on the stove or in a slow cooker. For a quick meal, use the stove method. It takes about 35 minutes in total. The slow cooker is great for busy days. Just set it and let it work while you're out. Try the [Full Recipe] for all the steps and enjoy a bowl of this warm goodness! {{image_2}} Gluten-free options: You can easily make this soup gluten-free. Just swap orzo for rice or gluten-free pasta. This keeps the soup tasty without the gluten. Vegetarian adaptations: To make a vegetarian version, skip the chicken. Use chickpeas or lentils for protein. Replace chicken broth with vegetable broth for flavor. Add extra veggies like zucchini or bell peppers. Ingredient substitutions: You can change some ingredients based on what you have. Use frozen spinach if fresh is not available. Swap out carrots for peas or green beans. If you do not have fresh dill, try parsley or basil for a different taste. These variations help you enjoy Greek lemon chicken soup in many ways. Each twist keeps the dish fun and exciting. For the complete recipe, check the [Full Recipe]. To keep your Greek Lemon Chicken Soup fresh, store it in an airtight container. This helps lock in flavor and prevents spills. If you have leftovers, let the soup cool first. It should cool for about 30 minutes before you store it. When refrigerated, the soup lasts about 3 to 4 days. If you want to keep it longer, freezing is a great option. Pour the cooled soup into freezer-safe bags or containers. Make sure to leave some space at the top, as liquids expand when frozen. In the freezer, it can last up to 3 months. For reheating, remove the soup from the fridge or freezer. If frozen, let it thaw overnight in the fridge. When ready to eat, warm the soup in a pot over low heat. Stir it often to ensure even heating. You can also use the microwave. Heat it in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring every minute until hot. By following these storage tips, you can enjoy your Greek Lemon Chicken Soup later without losing its great taste. Check the Full Recipe for all the details on making this delicious dish! You can serve Greek Lemon Chicken Soup with crusty bread. A slice of warm, fresh bread pairs well. It soaks up the soup's tangy broth. A simple salad also makes a great side. Try a Greek salad with feta and olives. This adds freshness and balances the soup's flavors. Yes, leftover chicken is perfect for this soup. It saves time and adds great flavor. Just shred or chop the chicken into small pieces. Add it to the pot when you combine the broth. This way, the chicken heats through without overcooking. To make it creamier, add a splash of heavy cream. Stir it in just before serving. You can also mix in some Greek yogurt. This adds creaminess and a nice tang. If you want a thicker soup, use less broth. Enjoy the smooth, rich texture! For the full recipe, visit [Full Recipe]. In this blog post, we explored how to make Greek Lemon Chicken Soup. We covered the key ingredients, such as olive oil, chicken, and fresh vegetables. You learned the step-by-step process, from cooking the base to adding pasta. I shared tips for enhancing flavors and dietary variations for everyone. Finally, we discussed storage and reheating practices to keep your soup fresh. Enjoy this warm dish and feel free to experiment with flavors. It’s a fun and tasty way to share a meal with others.

Greek Lemon Chicken Soup

Savor the bright flavors of Zesty Greek Lemon Chicken Soup with this simple recipe that brings comfort and freshness to your table. Packed with tender chicken, orzo pasta, and vibrant vegetables, this dish is perfect for any occasion. In just 35 minutes, you can create a delicious meal that warms the soul. Ready to impress your family? Click to explore the full recipe and make this tasty soup today!

Ingredients
  

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 medium onion, diced

3 garlic cloves, minced

3 medium carrots, sliced

2 celery stalks, chopped

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast (cut into bite-sized pieces)

4 cups chicken broth

1 cup water

1 cup orzo pasta (or rice)

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Zest and juice of 2 large lemons

1 cup fresh spinach, chopped

Salt to taste

Fresh dill for garnish

Instructions
 

In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.

    Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.

      Add in the sliced carrots and chopped celery, sautéing until they begin to soften, about 3-4 minutes.

        Add the chicken pieces and cook until lightly browned, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes.

          Pour in the chicken broth and water, bringing the mixture to a simmer.

            Stir in the orzo pasta (or rice), dried thyme, black pepper, and salt to taste. Cook until the pasta is tender, about 8-10 minutes.

              Once the pasta is cooked, add the lemon zest, lemon juice, and chopped spinach to the pot. Stir to combine and let cook for another 2 minutes until the spinach wilts.

                Adjust seasoning as needed, adding more salt or lemon juice if desired.

                  Serve hot, garnished with fresh dill on top.

                    Prep Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 35 minutes | Servings: 4-6

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