Description

This Chicken Orzo Tomato Soup is a comforting and flavorful dish combining tender chicken, rich tomato paste, creamy broth, and tender orzo pasta. Enhanced with Italian seasoning, fresh lemon juice, and garnished with Parmesan cheese and herbs, it is perfect for cozy meals. The recipe features a simple stovetop method that brings out deep, rich flavors through sautéing and simmering.

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 serving
Red pepper flakes, for serving
Lemon, for squeezing into the soup
Bread, for serving
Pesto, for serving (optional)

Instructions

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, taking care not to let it brown as that could cause bitterness.
Cook Tomato Paste and Seasoning: Stir in the tomato paste and Italian seasoning into the pot. Cook for approximately 5 minutes, allowing the tomato paste to caramelize and deepen to a rich red color, which enhances the soup’s flavor.
Add Broth and Season: Gradually pour in the chicken broth, stirring to combine everything into a smooth liquid. Season with salt starting with about 1/2 teaspoon, adjusting according to the broth’s saltiness and personal taste.
Cook Orzo: Add the orzo pasta to the pot and bring the soup to a gentle simmer. Cook for about 10 minutes or until the orzo is tender. Add water or extra broth as needed to reach the desired soup consistency. Stir in the heavy cream to give the soup a creamy texture.
Add Chicken and Lemon: Stir in the chopped or shredded cooked chicken. Squeeze a generous amount of fresh lemon juice into the soup to brighten the flavors and provide a fresh contrast to the richness.
Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with grated Parmesan cheese, fresh herbs such as parsley or basil, and red pepper flakes to taste. Serve immediately with warm crusty bread, optionally accompanied by pesto for dipping the bread before enjoying it with the soup.

Notes

Use pulled rotisserie chicken for a quick and flavorful protein addition.
Adjust salt levels carefully, especially if using store-bought chicken broth as it can be quite salty.
The tomato paste caramelization step is key for developing depth of flavor in the soup.
Heavy cream can be substituted with half-and-half or a dairy-free alternative for a lighter or vegan-friendly option.
Adding lemon juice just before serving enhances freshness and balances the rich tomato and cream flavors.
Pesto is optional but adds a wonderful herbal richness when served alongside the soup and bread.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Soup
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: Chicken Orzo Soup, Tomato Soup, Easy Chicken Soup, Comfort Food, Italian Soup, One-Pot Soup, Creamy Tomato Soup