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Creamy Chicken Orzo Soup: Your Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe for Cozy Evenings

There’s nothing quite like a warm, hearty bowl of soup to bring comfort on a chilly evening or simply to satisfy your craving for a delicious, home-cooked meal. This Creamy Chicken Orzo Soup is exactly that and more. It’s a delightful twist on classic chicken noodle soup, offering a richer, creamier texture and the satisfying bite of tiny orzo pasta. Made with tender chicken, wholesome vegetables, aromatic herbs, and a generous touch of heavy cream, this soup is both elegant and incredibly comforting.

This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a deeply flavorful and wonderfully satisfying dish that the whole family will adore. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, requiring minimal prep and cook time, yet yielding a sophisticated flavor profile that tastes like it simmered all day. Forget the ordinary; elevate your soup game with this easy-to-follow recipe for a truly unforgettable meal experience.

Creamy Chicken Orzo Soup, served in a white bowl with a spoon

Why You’ll Love This Creamy Chicken Orzo Soup

This isn’t just another chicken soup recipe; it’s a culinary experience designed for maximum enjoyment with minimal effort. Here’s why this creamy chicken orzo soup will become a staple in your kitchen:

Unbeatable Comfort: The rich, creamy broth combined with tender chicken and soft orzo pasta creates a luxurious texture that feels like a warm hug in a bowl. It’s the ultimate comfort food for any season.
Rich, Savory Flavor: A medley of sautéed onions and carrots, fragrant garlic, and classic herbs like thyme and oregano build a deep, complex flavor base. The chicken broth is enhanced by a touch of flour for a slightly thicker, more satisfying consistency, finished with a splash of heavy cream for unparalleled richness.
Quick & Easy Preparation: Despite its gourmet taste, this soup comes together in under 30 minutes. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you need a wholesome, delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
Versatile & Adaptable: Easily customize this soup to your liking. You can swap out vegetables, adjust the creaminess, or choose your preferred type of cooked chicken. It’s forgiving and delicious every time.
Family Favorite: The mild, appealing flavors and comforting ingredients make this a hit with both adults and children. It’s a fantastic way to get everyone around the table for a nutritious and delicious meal.

What is Orzo and Why It Works So Well in Soup?

Orzo pasta, often mistaken for rice due to its small, grain-like shape, is a type of short-cut pasta that hails from Italy. Its name literally means “barley” in Italian, reflecting its resemblance to barley grains. Made from semolina flour, orzo has a firm texture when cooked al dente, and it absorbs flavors beautifully, making it an ideal addition to soups and stews.

In this creamy chicken orzo soup, its small size is a major advantage. Unlike larger pasta shapes that can become cumbersome in a spoon, orzo nestles perfectly into each spoonful, providing a delightful chew without overpowering the delicate broth. It cooks quickly, ensuring a speedy meal, and its ability to absorb the rich flavors of the chicken broth and herbs makes every bite incredibly satisfying. Orzo also adds a wonderful carb-y element, making the soup a complete and filling meal on its own.

Essential Ingredients for Your Perfect Chicken Orzo Soup

Crafting this delicious soup requires a handful of common ingredients, most of which you likely already have in your pantry. The beauty lies in how these simple components come together to create such a profound flavor:

Olive Oil & Butter: The foundation of flavor. A combination of olive oil and butter is used to sauté the vegetables, adding richness and helping to bring out their natural sweetness.
Yellow Onion & Carrots: These aromatic vegetables form the classic mirepoix base, providing essential sweetness and depth to the soup. Dicing them uniformly ensures even cooking.
Minced Garlic: Fresh garlic is crucial for an aromatic kick. It’s added later in the cooking process to prevent burning and maximize its fragrant qualities.
Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance all the other flavors in the soup. Adjust to your taste.
Dried Thyme & Dried Oregano: These classic herbs infuse the soup with warm, earthy notes that complement the chicken and vegetables beautifully. You can also use fresh herbs if preferred (use 3x the amount of dried).
All-Purpose Flour: This acts as a thickener, creating a roux with the oil and butter that gives the soup its desirable creamy body without being too heavy.
Chicken Broth: The liquid base of the soup. High-quality chicken broth or stock will make a significant difference in the final flavor. Choose low-sodium options if you’re watching your salt intake.
Dry Orzo Pasta: The star pasta of this soup. It cooks directly in the broth, absorbing all the wonderful flavors.
Cooked Chicken: The protein component. You can use a 12 oz can of chicken (drained), which is incredibly convenient for quick meals. Alternatively, shredded rotisserie chicken or freshly cooked and shredded chicken breasts or thighs work perfectly. This flexibility makes it an excellent recipe for using up leftovers.
Heavy Cream: (Optional, but highly recommended!) A generous splash of heavy cream at the end adds luxurious creaminess and richness, elevating the soup to an elegant dish. If you prefer a dairy-free version, simply omit the cream and use olive oil instead of butter in the initial sauté.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Creamy Chicken Orzo Soup

Making this creamy chicken orzo soup is surprisingly simple, requiring just a few easy steps. Follow these instructions carefully for a perfect bowl every time:

Sauté the Aromatics: Begin by heating a large pot or Dutch oven (these are my favorite pots ever) over medium heat. Add the olive oil and butter. Once the butter is melted and shimmering, add the diced yellow onion and carrots. Sauté them for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they become tender and slightly softened. This step is crucial for building a flavorful base.
Add Garlic and Herbs: Stir in the minced garlic, salt, pepper, dried thyme, and dried oregano. Cook for just 1 minute more, stirring constantly, until the garlic becomes fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as this can make it bitter.
Create a Roux: Sprinkle the all-purpose flour into the pot with the sautéed vegetables and stir well to combine, forming a paste. Let it cook for about 2 minutes, stirring often, until the flour turns a light golden color. This step is essential for cooking out the raw flour taste and creating a thickening agent for your soup.
Whisk in Broth Slowly: Begin slowly whisking in the chicken broth, adding just a couple of tablespoons at a time initially. Continue to whisk constantly as you gradually add more broth. This slow addition and continuous whisking prevents the flour from clumping and ensures a smooth, creamy soup. Once all the broth is incorporated, the mixture should be smooth and slightly thickened.
Add Orzo and Chicken: Stir in the dry orzo pasta and your cooked chicken (canned, rotisserie, or homemade shredded chicken). Increase the heat to bring the soup to a gentle simmer.
Cook Until Orzo is Tender: Let the soup simmer for 11-12 minutes, or until the orzo pasta is cooked through to al dente and tender. Stir frequently to prevent the orzo from sticking to the bottom of the pot. Yes, in this case, stirring the pot is a very good idea!
Finish with Cream & Serve: Finally, remove the soup from the heat and stir in the heavy cream. This addition is optional but highly recommended for that irresistible creamy texture and rich flavor. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary. Serve hot and enjoy your delicious homemade chicken orzo soup!

Close-up of creamy chicken orzo soup in a bowl, with herbs as garnish

Tips for the Best Chicken Orzo Soup

Don’t Rush the Roux: Cooking the flour with the butter and oil for a couple of minutes is key to remove the raw flour taste and ensure a smooth, well-thickened soup.
Whisk Slowly: When adding the broth, really take your time and whisk slowly to prevent lumps. A smooth liquid base makes all the difference.
Prevent Orzo Stickiness: Orzo pasta can stick to the bottom of the pot if left undisturbed. Stirring frequently, especially during the simmering phase, will keep it from clumping and ensure even cooking.
Adjust Consistency: If your soup is too thick, you can add a little more chicken broth or water to reach your desired consistency. If it’s too thin, let it simmer uncovered for a few more minutes to reduce slightly, or make a small slurry of flour and water to whisk in (use sparingly).
Fresh Herbs for Garnish: A sprinkle of fresh parsley or dill before serving can add a pop of color and fresh flavor. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end brightens the entire soup.
Dairy-Free Option: To make this soup dairy-free, simply skip the butter and heavy cream. Use only olive oil for sautéing and you’ll still have a wonderfully flavorful, hearty soup.

What to Serve with Chicken Orzo Soup

This creamy chicken orzo soup is hearty enough to be a meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a few simple sides to create a complete and satisfying dinner. As Olive Garden famously showed us, soup, salad, and breadsticks are a match made in heaven! Here are some fantastic suggestions:

Fresh Side Salad: A crisp, light salad provides a refreshing contrast to the rich soup. My Classic Side Salad with a simple vinaigrette would be perfect.
Crusty Bread or Rolls: There’s nothing better for soaking up every last drop of delicious broth! Consider serving with warm, buttery One Hour Dinner Rolls or savory Garlic Pull Apart Rolls. A slice of crusty artisan bread or a French baguette would also be excellent.
Grilled Cheese Sandwich: For the ultimate comfort food pairing, a gooey grilled cheese sandwich dipped into the creamy soup is pure bliss.
Roasted Vegetables: A side of roasted asparagus or broccoli can add extra nutrients and a lovely texture contrast.

More Favorite Soup Recipes

If you loved the comforting warmth and rich flavors of this creamy chicken orzo soup, you’re in for a treat! My website features a variety of other amazing and easy soup recipes that are perfect for any occasion. From hearty stews to lighter broths, there’s a soup for every craving. Here are a few more favorites that I highly recommend you try:

One-Pot White Chicken Lasagna Soup: All the flavors of lasagna in an easy, one-pot soup!
Lentil Potato Soup: A wholesome and filling vegetarian option that’s incredibly flavorful.
Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana: A hearty and savory Tuscan-inspired soup that cooks effortlessly in your slow cooker.

4.49 from 33 votes

Creamy Chicken Orzo Soup

By:

Julia Pacheco

This creamy chicken orzo soup is wonderfully light, yet incredibly hearty, packed with tender chicken, wholesome vegetables, and tiny orzo pasta—making it the ideal comforting meal for chilly days or any time you need a delicious feel-good dish.

Prep:

5 minutes

Cook:

25 minutes

Total:

30 minutes

Servings:

4
servings

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Ingredients

▢

2
tbsp
olive oil
▢

1
tbs
butter
▢

1
yellow onion,
diced
▢

3
large
carrots,
peeled and diced
▢

1
tbsp
minced garlic
▢

1 ½
tsp
salt
▢

1
tsp
pepper
▢

1
tsp
dried thyme
▢

1
tsp
dried oregano
▢

3
tbsp
all-purpose flour
▢

6
cups
chicken broth
▢

1
cup
dry orzo pasta
▢

12
oz
can of chicken,
drained (or use any cooked shredded chicken breast/thighs or rotisserie chicken)
▢

¼
cup
heavy cream ,
(optional, but delicious! For dairy-free, omit cream and use only olive oil)

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Instructions

To a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, add the butter and olive oil. Once the oil is hot and butter is melted, add in the diced yellow onion and carrots. Sauté for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened and translucent.
Stir in the minced garlic, salt, pepper, dried thyme, and dried oregano. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant, making sure not to burn the garlic. Next, stir in the all-purpose flour and cook for about 2 minutes, or until it becomes golden in color, creating a light roux. Slowly whisk in the chicken broth, adding a small amount at a time and continuously whisking to prevent any clumps from forming and to ensure a smooth, well-combined base.
Stir in the dry orzo pasta and the cooked chicken. Bring the soup to a gentle simmer. Let it simmer for 11-12 minutes, or until the orzo is cooked al dente and tender. Stir often throughout this period to prevent the orzo from sticking to the bottom of the pot. Once the orzo is cooked, remove from heat, stir in the heavy cream (if using), and serve immediately. Enjoy your creamy, comforting soup!

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Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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