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Chicken Meatball And Orzo Soup

Chicken Meatball And Orzo Soup

Shika
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mediterranean-inspired
Servings 5
Calories 350 kcal

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Medium mixing bowl
  • Wooden spoon
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Small scoop (for shaping meatballs)
  • Ladle

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb ground chicken
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ¼ cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 egg
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion diced
  • 2 carrots peeled and sliced
  • 2 celery stalks sliced
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • ¾ cup orzo
  • 2 cups fresh spinach
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh lemon juice optional
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions
 

Make The Meatballs

  • In a medium mixing bowl, I combine ground chicken, grated Parmesan, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper. I mix everything together until it forms a cohesive mixture. Using a small scoop, I shape the mixture into bite-sized meatballs.

Cook The Meatballs

  • In a large pot, I heat olive oil over medium heat. I add the meatballs, browning them on all sides for about 5-7 minutes. Once browned, I remove the meatballs from the pot and set them aside.

Sauté The Vegetables

  • In the same pot, I add the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. I cook everything for about 5 minutes until the veggies begin to soften.

Add Broth And Orzo

  • Next, I pour in the chicken broth and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, I add the orzo and reduce the heat to a simmer. I let it cook for about 10 minutes until the orzo is tender.

Add The Meatballs And Spinach

  • I carefully return the chicken meatballs to the soup, letting them simmer for an additional 10 minutes to cook through. During the last 2 minutes, I stir in fresh spinach until it wilts.

Season And Serve

  • Finally, I taste the soup, seasoning it with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice if desired. I ladle the soup into bowls, garnishing with fresh parsley.

Notes

I find this soup to be the perfect balance of flavors. If I want a brighter, more tangy note, I’ll add an extra splash of lemon juice right at the end. This gives the broth a lively kick that pairs so well with the richness of the meatballs.
Keyword Chicken Meatball And Orzo Soup