Easy Rotisserie Chicken Orzo Soup Recipe
Made with rotisserie chicken, fresh veggies, orzo, and a squeeze of lemon, this Rotisserie Chicken Orzo Soup is perfect for a cold day. The soup makes its own broth, infusing it with rich flavor, and adding the lemon juice at the end brightens it. While the soup is simmering, make these Easy Baking Powder Breadsticks for a quick, delicious addition to the meal.
To make this recipe, I grabbed a rotisserie chicken at Costco. I used the chicken breasts for Honey Lime Chicken Bowls and the rest of the chicken carcass for this soup. Using a rotisserie chicken is great for meal prep, stretching the meat over two meals, and saving money. If I can get two meals out of one rotisserie chicken, my weekly meal planning gets easier, and my pocketbook thanks me.
In the fall, my biggest go-to meals are soups. It’s comforting to have a big pot of soup simmering on the stove when the weather turns chilly. I love how soups come together in one large pot for a satisfying and complete meal.
Recipes for Rotisserie Chicken
- Alfredo Pesto Sauce with Chicken and Tomatoes
- Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup with Homemade Noodles
- Classic Chicken Salad with Grapes
- Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
- Five-Minute Pesto Alfredo Sauce with Chicken
- Broccoli Chicken Casserole
Step-by-Step Photos for How to Make Rotisserie Chicken Orzo Soup
Frequently Asked Questions about How to Make Rotisserie Chicken Orzo Soup
Do I have to use the chicken carcass to make the soup?
Simmering the carcass makes a delicious homemade chicken broth for the soup. If you do not want to use the chicken carcass, I recommend making this Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup instead.
How long do I need to simmer the chicken carcass?
I recommend at least 30 minutes. This recipe is very forgiving. If you end up simmering the carcass longer because you’re working on laundry or something else, it will be okay. The longer you simmer it, the more flavorful the soup will be.
Can I substitute rice for orzo?
It will change the flavor and texture of the soup, but if you prefer rice, you can use it. I suggest cooking the rice separately and adding it at the last minute. In the alternative, you could make this Chicken Rice Soup.
What other vegetables do you recommend adding?
A great thing about this recipe is you can tailor it to your taste. I usually use celery, onion, and carrots, but other great additions are peas, broccoli, or zucchini.
Can I leave the lemon juice out?
Adding the freshly squeezed lemon juice at the end really brightens the dish and leaves it with a fresh and delicious flavor. You can leave it out if you prefer, but the soup will taste more like Chicken Noodle Soup.
Cook’s Tools for Rotisserie Chicken Soup:
If you love Rotisserie Chicken Orzo Soup, you'll love these...
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 garlic segment, minced
- 4 stalks celery, sliced
- 4-5 large carrots, peeled and sliced
- 1 Rotisserie chicken with breast meat removed (See step-by-step photos.)
- 8-10 cups water
- 3-4 tsp chicken bouillon granules
- 1½ cups orzo pasta, uncooked
- 2 tbsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 tsp sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
- In a large stockpot or soup pot, melt the butter with the olive oil, and then add the onion, celery, and carrots. Make sure to salt and pepper the vegetables. Sauté for 3-4 minutes.
- Next, add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 more minutes.
- Add the rotisserie chicken, water, and chicken bouillon. Bring to a boil. Turn down the heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Taste the soup, and if needed, add more chicken bouillon, starting with 1 tsp.
- Take the rotisserie chicken out, debone it, and shred the meat. Be careful when taking the chicken out. It will be hot, so make sure to let it cool down enough before you begin deboning and shredding the meat.
- Next, add the shredded chicken to the broth and bring to a boil.
- Once the water is boiling, add the orzo pasta and continue boiling for 10-15 minutes or until the pasta is tender. You can add more water at this point if the soup is too thick after cooking the pasta. Start with 1 cup water, and add more water until it has reached the consistency you like.
- Next, add in the sugar, lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste.
- You can also add in fresh or dried parsley for garnish and flavor.
- Serve and enjoy!
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