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This slow cooker soup is perfect for those days that you want a delicious dinner ready with minimal effort.
I've got this Lemon Orzo Chicken Soup slowly simmering away, as we speak, and the aroma wafting through the house is incredible. After perfecting the recipe a few weeks ago, I could hardly wait to make it again.
If you read our last post, you know that we traveled to London early last week to spend some time with our daughter, son-in-law and their four children, Annie, Ellie, Lilly and Luke. On Friday, we packed up the little ones, got on a plane and headed to France, where we're spending a week together in Samoëns, smack dab in the middle of the French Alps.
Although we arrived here in Samoëns after dark, glimpses of the little village brought back lots of fun memories, because we vacationed in this very same place four years ago. Nevertheless, I wasn't prepared for the spectacular view when I pulled open the curtains this morning!
Despite gray cloudy skies, the views in every direction are magnificent! Scott and I ventured out early with little Luke in the stroller. We noted a few new sights in town but, for the most part, Samoens looks just like we left it; quaint, charming and giving you the feeling that you've taken a step back in time.
We were eager to return to our favorite Boulangerie (French for bakery) and hoped it would be as as wonderful as we remembered. Seeing a long line inside the shop and spilling out the door at an early hour was a good sign.
When we noted happy customers exiting with breads of all shapes, sizes and varieties tucked under their arms, carrying bags with flaky pastries peeking out, we were confident that things hadn't changed much. Lukey and I did a little taste test which revealed we were correct indeed!
A little later this morning, Cait and I ran to the local market and picked up groceries for the week. This is where Slow Cooker Lemon Orzo Chicken Soup comes in...
Carrots, onions and celery were on the list along with chicken, stock and fresh herbs.
Oh, and lemons. That's what makes this soup deliciously unique, a splash of fresh lemon juice adds a bright finishing touch to this soup, that's loaded with old fashioned flavor. I had brought some orzo pasta along from home so we were good to go.
When Cait, Josh and the girls headed up the mountain to ski, it didn't take me long to get the soup going. A bit of chopping and the rest was super simple.
By the time they returned home, dinner was well on the way, exuding an incredibly delicious aroma. It's the kind of soup that both kids and grown ups seem to love; and it's wonderful for quick, easy meals on the run.
So whether you're needing a perfect way to warm up on a cold winter day or just a nourishing, delicious soup to enjoy for lunches, casual dinners and meals on the go, pull out your slow cooker and simply combine everything on the list. Super basic ingredients are magically melded together over the hours and your home will waft the same amazing aroma I'm smelling here in my little home-away-from-home in the French Alps. Bon Appetit!
- Ingredients for the soup:
- 8 cups chicken stock
- 2 large bone-in skin-on chicken breasts
- 3 cloves garlic finely minced
- ½ medium onion finely diced
- 1 pound carrots peeled,and thinly sliced
- 4 medium stalks celery diced small
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh rosemary
- 2 medium bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt more to taste
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Ingredients for finishing:
- 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
- finely grated zest of one medium size lemon
- Juice of 1 medium size lemon
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
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Combine all soup ingredients (first 11 ingredients) in the bowl of a slow cooker. Cook on medium for 6-8 hours or until chicken and carrots are super tender or on high for 3-4 hours.
-
Remove chicken breasts and allow them to cool. When cooled, remove the skin and separate the meat from the bones. Dice the chicken into bite-size pieces.
-
While chicken is cooling, add pasta to soup and increase heat level to high (if cooking soup on low). Cook for 20-25 minutes more or until pasta is tender.
-
Add lemon zest, lemon juice, thyme and diced chicken. Stir to combine. Taste and add salt if needed.
-
Serve and enjoy. Soup stores well for 3-4 days in airtight containers in refrigerator. Reheat on stovetop or in the microwave.
Turmeric is a seasoning widely available in the spice section of most grocery stores. It's used in curry powder and it also gives mustard it's yellow color. It doesn't add much flavor to this soup, but does give it a lovely color. Turmeric is known as a powerful medicine that has long been used in the Chinese and Indian systems of medicine as an anti-inflammatory agent to treat a wide variety of conditions.
12 generous servings
Becky says
Ii was going to make this for my work soup off but I was wondering if I could use a rotisserie chicken? And if I can how should I make this soup ? Please help
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Becky, I do have lots of soup recipes that call for rotisserie chicken but I'm afraid you would lose a lot of the flavor with this one if you don't use the skin-on bone-in chicken breasts. The depth of flavor of the broth comes from a nice long simmer with the chicken breasts.
That being said, you could pull the meat off of the rotisserie chicken, simmer the skin and carcass and then strain the broth and proceed with the rest of the recipe. It would take less time for cooking the soup itself but it would be more work.
kimj says
instead of orzo could I make extra wide egg noodles? Would you cook them separate?
Chris Scheuer says
You could use wide egg noodles. I would definitely cook them separately. Enjoy!
Chris K says
Did you use fresh rosemary? I can tell from your pictures you used fresh thyme. I made this today. It came out pretty well. I used both fresh rosemary and thyme, but I didn't use as much rosemary as you called for. I am going to have to add more broth as there is not enough after cooking. (There would not have been enough room in my 5 qt. crockpot at the beginning anyway.) My husband liked it. I'll see what my teenager thinks tonight!
Rachel says
This sounds delicious and I'm excited to try it. Could I use boneless/skinless chicken breasts instead? Or do the skin and bones add lots of flavor when it cooks? Just thinking the time to shred would be shorter that way and I'm always trying to save any amount of time when I get home from work!
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Rachel,
In this particular recipe, I think the skin and bones do keep the chicken moist and add flavor. I love boneless skinless breasts (and I'm always looking for ways to make less work) but I don't think they would do as well in this soup.
Arlene Kestner says
I made a double recipe for PEO Sisterhood chapter fundraiser. All the items were purchased in a matter of minutes.
Rosie says
Amazing soup! I made this for my boyfriend's mum after she returned from traveling and had a bit of an upset tummy. It was a hit around the table! Thank you!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks so much Rosie, for taking the time to let us know. So happy you all enjoyed it!
Jessie says
This looks delicious, but I cannot for the life of me figure out why the chicken has to come out and cool down.
Chris Scheuer says
Great question Jessie! Simply so it's cool enough for you to handle when you shred it.
Sandra says
What a spectacular view, it's like something out of a movie! You have a knack for combining simple ingredients into an amazing meal.
Chris Scheuer says
Even though we're back in London Sandra, Scott and I are still replaying the sights and experiences in our heads! So fun!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
I love lemon orzo soup and this is just what I'm craving on a rainy and blustery day!
Chris Scheuer says
Well enjoy it Laura!
Liz says
We love to cook when we're on holiday, too! What a picturesque locale and a wonderful time to be with your dear family! Your soup looks fabulous.
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks Liz! It just really seems to bring everybody together, doesn't it?
Abbe @ This is How I Cook says
This just took my breath away. and though the soup looks great, I think it was the beauty of the village and the mountains and the minions!
Chris Scheuer says
Ha Ha Abbe! They are a little troop of minions - very lovable and adorable!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says
Oh! How perfect to be enjoying this soup with the French Alps as a backdrop 🙂 Love that this is slow-cooked, too!
Chris Scheuer says
It was great to have on hand all week, and a good thing for the couple of family that got a tummy bug. It helped nurse them back to health.
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
What a fabulous trip Chris! We're having snow today but it doesn't look like this! The soup would be pretty wonderful on a day like today - it looks perfect. Have a great time! Sharing
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks Tricia!
Donna says
Hi Chris! Your soup loves lovely. I was just wondering if there is a particular brand of chicken stock that you are partial to? I have yet to find one that gives me the robust flavor I am looking for.
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Donna! I really like the organic chicken stock from Aldi, but really, no chicken stock is real robust without adding a few additional ingredients.
Carol Riley says
Beautiful mountains, delicious baked goods, family and the opportunity to enjoy God's creation amd the aroma of hot soup....it doesn't get much better than this!!
Chris Scheuer says
So true Carol! His handiwork is visible every where we go up here!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
I remember lemon soup from my first visit to Salzburg years ago and your soup brings back great memories for me. I'm eager to give this a try - it's gorgeous!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks Maureen! It's so hearty and delicious for cold winter days, or any time!
Brenda says
This looks so incredibly good. I'm making it for my and my friend next weekend for sure!
Chris Scheuer says
It's just so flavorful, we're really enjoying it up here!
Vicki Bensinger says
You and Scott are gems to take 4 young children off to France for a four day outing allowing your daughter and son-in-law to have some time to themselves. How lovely and a trip I'm sure all will remember.
I love your soup recipe and wish I had seen it yesterday. I'm making some sort of chicken this evening but haven't figured out what yet and this would have been ideal Too late to start it now. I always forget to use the slow cooker but how perfect when we are all running in twenty different directions. I've printed it and will hopefully try it this week.
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks Vicki! Actually, the whole crew is down here - 4 adults and 4 minions! And we love them all! Lots of crazy, silly, exciting adventures!
Monique says
Fun for YOU to go to a chilly little place..looks breathtaking..Cait♥
And i'll have what you are having:)
The soup also looks delish!
Chris Scheuer says
It is Monique! Thanks for coming with us!
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
What a beautiful village! And the soup...totally delicious and satisfying with lemon and orzo.
Chris Scheuer says
It's a really body and soul warmer Angie!
Mila says
I am making a note of this place, for when I have a chance to go back to France. It looks magical. I would be powerless inside that boulangerie and would leave with quite an assortment (too dangerous).
The soup will go on the menu next week, something to look forward to. I imagine orzo is hard to find in Europe, since you had to bring it from home? Seems like such a staple here, but apparently it is not available everywhere.
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks for your wonderful comment Mila. I didn't want to take the chance of not having it, since this is a pretty small French village, so I brought it along. Yes, the boulangeries are calling our names every day! So hard to resist; and the one in the picture is our absolute favorite! People line up right out the door each morning!
Susan Gehris says
Just wondering if you took along your KitchenAid crockpot too. Im sure they are not standard issue in French village rental homes. Just wondering. Looks like the perfect ares ski soup. Love the photos too. Keep 'em coming. They're as wonderful as the recipes.
Chris Scheuer says
Haha Susan! I have been known to drag everything but the kitchen sink when we travel, but no, I didn't bring my slow cooker along. The kitchen here is adequate but not great so I had to improvise the recipe a bit. I actually simmered it super slowly on the stovetop 🙂
Chris Scheuer says
Ha Ha! Good observations Susan! I made my first test batches of this before we left North Carolina and Scott shot pictures then. The day after we arrived in Samoens, we made another batch for our little crew of grands! They are loving it!
Kristin S says
I just returned from La Farm this morning. Our little local NC taste of France. I'm sure it doesn't compare to your morning, though. What a dreamy view!
This is one of my all time favorite soups. I'm excited to try it!
Chris Scheuer says
And so handy to have around Kristin! We have two large containers in the fridge right now, for cold little skier bodies to gobble up when they come down from the slopes!
Gwen says
What awesome photos! You're making me want to be there!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks Gwen! It truly is a gorgeous place, and very family friendly!
sue|theviewfromgreatisland says
I'm mesmerized by that gorgeous frosty village, and warmed by your wonderful soup --- have a ball Chris!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks Sue! It's like a little story book village. Some of the center parts of the city were from the middle ages!