Easy Greek Lemon Chicken Soup Recipe

Hey there, soup lovers! Are you ready to take your taste buds on a Mediterranean vacation with our Easy Greek Lemon Chicken Soup recipe? If you’ve been on the hunt for an easy Greek lemon soup that’s bursting with flavor, you’ve come to the right place. From crockpot to stovetop, we’ve got you covered with this versatile dish. So, grab your apron and let’s dive into my delicious version of this fabulous soup!

The Zesty Ingredients: Let’s gather up the goodies for our culinary adventure. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Chicken breasts or thighs (boneless and skinless)

• Soup pasta or rice

• Chicken broth

• Fresh lemon juice

• Garlic

• Onion

• Olive oil

• Dried oregano or tyme

• Salt and pepper

• Lemon

Cooking Up a Storm:

Now that we’ve got our ingredients lined up, it’s time to get cooking. Whether you opt for the convenience of a crockpot or the stovetop charm, this recipe is a breeze to whip up.

For the crockpot method, toss in your veggies, chicken, broth, and spices. Let it simmer away on low for 6-8 hours or crank up the heat to high for 3-4 hours until the chicken is tender. Once done, shred the chicken and pop it back into the pot, then add the lemon. Cook your orzo separately according to the package instructions, then add it to the soup along with a sprinkle of fresh parsley.

Prefer the stovetop method? Start by sautéing diced onion and minced garlic in olive oil until they’re golden and fragrant. Add in your chicken, broth, lemon juice, oregano, salt, and pepper, and let it simmer for 20-25 minutes until the chicken is cooked through. Once the chicken is tender, shred it up and toss it back into the pot along with your cooked orzo or rice. Finish it off with a generous sprinkle of fresh parsley, and voila – your Greek Lemon Chicken Soup is ready to serve!

A Burst of Mediterranean Flavor:

What sets this Greek Lemon Chicken Soup apart is its zesty, citrusy kick. The tangy lemon juice pairs perfectly with the savory chicken and aromatic herbs, creating a symphony of flavors that’ll leave you craving more. Whether you’re slurping it up on a chilly evening or serving it up to impress your dinner guests, this soup is guaranteed to hit the spot.

How to Store Your Soup:

Got leftovers? No problem! Simply store your Greek Lemon Chicken Soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the soup in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Just be sure to let it cool completely before freezing, and thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. See notes for details on storing with the rice or orzo.

FAQ About the Soup:

Q: Can I use bone-in chicken for this recipe? A: Absolutely! Bone-in chicken adds extra flavor to the soup, but just be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Q: Can I make this soup vegetarian? A: Sure thing! Simply swap out the chicken for tofu or your favorite meat substitute (and add it when you’d normally add tofu to a slow cooker soup, and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a delicious vegetarian version of this soup.

What to Serve with Your Soup:

Looking to round out your meal? Serve up your Greek Lemon Chicken Soup with a side of crusty bread for dipping, a fresh Greek salad, or a platter of olives and feta cheese for a true taste of Greece.

And there you have it – a mouthwatering bowl of Easy Greek Lemon Chicken Soup that’s sure to satisfy your cravings. Whether you were searching for an easy Greek lemon soup, a Greek lemon soup recipe, or a crockpot or stovetop lemon chicken orzo soup, I hope this recipe has inspired you to get cooking. Have you tried this recipe before? Or perhaps you have your own spin on it? I’d love to hear from you! Drop a comment below and let’s keep the conversation going. Happy cooking, friends! SAVE THE PIN!

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Greek Lemon Chicken Soup - Crock Pot or Stove Top

Yield: 6

Author: Lauren Lane

Prep time: 20 MinCook time: 4 HourTotal time: 4 H & 20 M

Dive into the comforting flavors of Greece with this easy crock pot Greek lemon chicken soup. Tender chicken simmered in a flavorful broth infused with zesty lemon, fragrant herbs, and hearty vegetables creates a soul-warming dish that's perfect for any occasion. This dish is made easily with the help of a slow cooker and is endlessly customizable. This is the only Lemon Chicken soup recipe you'll need.

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Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon of butter
• 1/2 cup celery chopped finely
• 1 cup onion chopped finely
• 1 tablespoon garlic minced, about 5 cloves
• 1 cup sliced leeks (or sub carrots if preferred)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoons pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 bay leaves
• 1.5 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts about 3 chicken breasts
• 6 cups chicken broth (1.5 quarts)
• 1 Parmesan Reggiano rind (optional)
• 1-2 cups frozen peas
• 1/2 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice (how until soup is done)
• 1 cup dry orzo or other pasta small soup pasta or GF pasta, or rice

Instructions

1. StoveTop Instructions
2. Heat olive oil in the pan and sauté leek, onion + garlic until fragrant and softened (about 5-8 minutes)
3. Once cooked, stir spices (including bay leaves).
4. Place whole chicken breasts on top of vegetables and season with salt. Cover with chicken broth. Do not add lemon juice to the pot.
5. Cover pot and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat and simmer over low-medium heat for 45 minutes to an hour.
6. While the soup cooks, bring a pot of water to a boil and cook your pasta per the directions.
7. After one hour, remove bay leaves and parmesan rind from the chicken broth and discard. Remove chicken from the pot + shred on a cutting board with forks or in a mixer.
8. Add shredded chicken, peas and asparagus if using and lemon juice and cooked pasta or rice to the pot. Stir to combine and enjoy!
9. Pro Tip: To avoid soggy pasta/noodles: Add cooked orzo or rice to a bowl. Serve soup on top of the pasta. This prevents the pasta/noodles from absorbing chicken broth and turning mushy.
10. Crockpot Instructions:
11. In a pan, heat olive oil over the stovetop. Sauté leeks, celery, onion + garlic until fragrant and softened, approximately 5-10 minutes.
12. Add sautéd veggies to the crockpot. Stir in spices. (including bay leaves and parmesan rind if using).
13. Place whole chicken breasts on top of vegetables in the crockpot. Season with salt and pepper. Cover with chicken broth. Do not add lemon juice to the pot.
14. Place the lid on the crockpot and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4-6 hours
15. 20 minutes before serving, bring a pot of water to a boil and cook your pasta per the directions.
16. Remove bay leaves from the broth and discard. Remove chicken from the pot + shred on a cutting board with forks or in a mixer.
17. Add shredded chicken, peas, and asparagus if using, and the lemon juice and cooked pasta or rice to the pot. Stir to combine and enjoy!
18. Pro Tip: To avoid soggy pasta/noodles: Add cooked orzo or rice to a bowl. Serve soup on top of the rice/pasta. This prevents the pasta/noodles from absorbing broth and turning mushy.

Notes

• Add 1-2 cups of cooked asparagus before serving as an option.
• For even more flavor, add a tablespoon of chicken Better the Bouillon.
• Short on time: Skip the step 2 and add veggies directly to the slow cooker.
• Storing: This soup keeps for up to 4-5 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
• Freezing this soup: This soup freezes very well and will last for months in the freezer! I do not recommend freezing or refrigerating it with the pasta or rice added as they will get a bit mushy. If that doesn't bother you, go for it!
• Reheating: When you’re ready to eat, defrost the night before in the refrigerator. You can also heat directly from frozen in the microwave or on the stove.
• Authentic Greek Lemon Chicken Soup has eggs. If you'd like to try that, simply do the following: In a medium bowl, whisk together the lemon juice and eggs. While whisking, add 2 ladles-full of the broth from the cooking pot (this helps temper the eggs). Once fully combined, add the sauce to the chicken soup and stir. Remove from the heat immediately or the

Recommended Products

Lemon Juiicer

Lemon Zester

My favorite Slow Cooker

Nutrition Facts

Calories

331.49

Fat (grams)

8.35 g

Sat. Fat (grams)

2.35 g

Carbs (grams)

31.79 g

Fiber (grams)

3.89 g

Net carbs

27.9 g

Sugar (grams)

6.07 g

Protein (grams)

31.62 g

Sodium (milligrams)

1423.26 mg

Cholesterol (grams)

82.4 mg

© Lauren Lane

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