Print

Chicken Orzo Tomato Soup Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 86 reviews

This Chicken Orzo Tomato Soup is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender orzo pasta, shredded rotisserie chicken, and a rich tomato broth enhanced with garlic, Italian seasoning, and a touch of cream. Perfect for a cozy meal, it’s garnished with Parmesan cheese, fresh herbs, and a squeeze of lemon for brightness, served alongside crusty bread and optional pesto for dipping.

Ingredients

Scale

Soup Base

  • 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

Pasta and Protein

  • 1 cup DeLallo Orzo Pasta
  • 2 cups chopped or shredded cooked chicken (pulled rotisserie chicken meat recommended)

Finishing Touches

  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1–2 cups water as needed for desired consistency
  • Parmesan cheese for serving
  • Fresh herbs such as parsley or basil for garnish
  • Red pepper flakes for garnish
  • Lemon for squeezing
  • Bread for serving
  • Pesto for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Sauté Garlic: Heat the olive oil in a soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until soft and fragrant, making sure it does not brown to avoid bitterness.
  2. Cook Tomato Paste and Seasoning: Stir in the tomato paste and Italian seasoning. Cook for about 5 minutes until the tomato paste caramelizes and deepens to a rich red color, enhancing the soup’s flavor.
  3. Add Broth and Season: Gradually add the chicken broth, stirring to combine into a smooth liquid. Season with salt starting with 1/2 teaspoon, adjusting to taste depending on the saltiness of the broth used.
  4. Cook Orzo: Add the orzo pasta to the pot and bring the soup to a gentle simmer. Cook for approximately 10 minutes, or until the orzo is tender. Add water or additional broth as needed to achieve your preferred soup consistency. Stir in the heavy cream to create a creamy texture.
  5. Add Chicken and Lemon: Stir in the chopped or shredded cooked chicken. Squeeze a generous amount of fresh lemon juice into the soup to add brightness and awaken the flavors.
  6. Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with grated Parmesan cheese, fresh herbs, and red pepper flakes to taste. Serve with warm crusty bread, and optionally with pesto for dipping the bread into before enjoying with the soup.

Notes

  • Use pulled rotisserie chicken for convenience and flavor.
  • Do not let the garlic brown to avoid bitterness.
  • Adjust the water or broth amount to get your desired soup consistency.
  • Pesto served alongside the bread adds a delicious optional flavor enhancement.
  • Fresh lemon juice brightens the overall flavor and adds freshness to the soup.

Keywords: chicken orzo soup, tomato soup, comfort food, easy soup recipe, Italian soup, creamy tomato soup

Find it online: https://cookedbycleo.com/chicken-orzo-tomato-soup-recipe/