Smart Recipe Kitchen

2026-03-02

Serves: 6 | Total time: ~45 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, diced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp dried oregano, 1/2 tsp thyme
• 3/4 cup dry orzo
• 6 cups chicken broth
• Juice and zest of 1 lemon
• 2 cups baby spinach
• Salt, pepper, parsley

Method

1) In a pot, heat oil. Brown chicken with salt/pepper 4–5 minutes; remove.

2) Sauté onion, carrot, celery 5 minutes. Add garlic, oregano, thyme; cook 1 minute.

3) Add broth and orzo; bring to simmer. Cook 8–10 minutes until orzo is almost tender.

4) Return chicken; simmer 5 minutes until cooked through. Stir in spinach, lemon zest/juice. Adjust seasoning; finish with parsley.

Why it works: Lemon brightens the broth; thighs stay tender; orzo thickens soup without cream.