Dinner time can feel like a whole circus over here. One kid is crying cause someone looked at them weird. Another one spilled milk on the dog. And the third just wants snacks again, even though we just ate. My brain be like, what even is dinner right now?
That is why I love slow cooker soups. You just toss stuff in, hit the button, and pretend you are winning at life. This crockpot lemon chicken orzo soup is one of those chicken soup crockpot recipes I make on repeat. It is bright, cozy, and actually gets eaten without drama (usually).
It is one of my fave chicken based soups crock pot style cause it is not too heavy but still fills everyone up. Perfect for when you need real food without the stress. I keep it on my list of easy dump crockpot soups that save the day when I got zero energy.
Whether you are craving something warm and brothy or need a chicken soup in slow cooker kind of vibe, this one hits. The orzo makes it fun, the lemon makes it fresh, and the chicken? It gets so soft and yummy. Total win.
If you love trying new chicken dishes in crockpot or you are always looking for hearty dinner recipes crock pot, you are gonna wanna save this. Works great for meal prep, leftovers, or even those nights when you forgot to defrost anything (been there).
Scroll on and I will show you how I make this slow cooker chicken soup that is super easy, kinda fancy, and still kid-approved.
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs
- 1 cup chopped carrots
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1 small onion, chopped small
- 3 garlic cloves, smashed or minced
- 6 cups chicken broth (use more if you want extra brothy)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
- 3/4 cup dry orzo pasta
- Juice from 1 to 2 lemons (I usually do 2 cause I like it zesty)
- Zest from 1 lemon (if you want it extra lemony)
- 2 big handfuls of spinach
- Lemon slices to add on top (only if you wanna be fancy)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Dump it in
Put the chicken, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, broth, oregano, salt, pepper, and olive oil in your crockpot. Stir it if you feel like it. Or not. It still works.
Step 2: Let it cook
Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or high for 3 to 4 hours. Just enough time to fold some laundry (maybe) or scroll your phone (definitely).
Step 3: Shred the chicken
When the chicken is done, take it out and shred it up with two forks. It should fall apart easy. Then throw it right back in the soup.
Step 4: Add the orzo
Now toss in the dry orzo. Let it cook for about 20 to 30 more minutes on high until the pasta is soft. Stir it now and then so it does not get all clumpy.
Step 5: Add lemon and spinach
Squeeze in your lemon juice. Add the zest too if you are feelin’ it. Then drop in the spinach and let it wilt down. Give it all a good stir. You can let it sit for a few minutes while you set the table or chase a toddler who lost their sock again.
Why This Soup Works for Me
This soup is my go-to when I want something warm but also light. The lemon makes it taste fresh, and the orzo keeps it filling. I do not need fancy stuff, just food that tastes good and feeds my people without makin’ a mess.
Plus it is a total win for leftovers. I pack it in thermoses for lunch the next day or reheat it when someone says they are hungry again even though they swore they were full 10 minutes ago.
You can use this for sick days, snow days, or just those days where you feel like a potato and need a cozy meal. It is like a little bowl of calm.
FAQs
Can I use rotisserie chicken instead of raw chicken?
Yes you can. Just skip the long cook time. Add the shredded rotisserie chicken in right before the orzo. It still tastes amazing and saves even more time. Total win for busy days.
Can I use rice instead of orzo?
Yep. If you do not have orzo, you can use white rice or even brown rice. Just know it may take a little longer to cook. You might need a bit more broth too since rice soaks it up more.
Can I freeze this soup?
You can, but orzo can get kinda mushy after freezing. If you want to freeze it, maybe leave the orzo out and add it fresh when you reheat later.
What if I do not have fresh lemon?
That is fine. Use bottled lemon juice if you have it. Or a splash of vinegar can work too if you need that little pop of tang. But fresh lemon does hit different.
Can I cook this on the stovetop instead of the crockpot?
Yes. Just cook the veggies and chicken in a big pot. Simmer till chicken is cooked, shred it, and then add orzo and spinach at the end. Same flavors, just faster.
Recipe Card: Crockpot Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
Crockpot Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs
- 1 cup carrots chopped
- 1 cup celery chopped
- 1 small onion , chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced or smashed
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
- 3/4 cup orzo pasta
- Juice from 1 to 2 lemons about 1/4 cup
- Zest of 1 lemon optional but adds more zing
- 2 handfuls of fresh spinach
- Lemon slices optional for serving
Instructions
Step 1: Load the crockpot
- Add chicken, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, broth, oregano, salt, pepper, and olive oil into the crockpot. Give it a quick stir.
Step 2: Cook it slow
- Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours or high for 3–4 hours until chicken is fully cooked.
Step 3: Shred the chicken
- Take out the chicken and shred with two forks. Toss it back in the soup.
Step 4: Add the orzo
- Pour in the orzo pasta. Cook on high for 20–30 minutes more. Stir a few times so the pasta does not stick to the bottom.
Step 5: Add lemon and greens
- Squeeze in the lemon juice. Add lemon zest if using. Stir in the spinach until it wilts. Let it sit for 5 minutes, then serve.
Notes
Tips:
- If you like thicker soup, use less broth. Want it brothy? Add more.
- Stir occasionally after adding orzo to keep it from clumping.
- Taste before serving. You can always add more lemon or salt if needed.
- Forgot to start the crockpot early? Use the Instapot version instead.
Variations:
- No orzo? Use small pasta or cooked rice.
- Creamy twist: Add a splash of cream or milk at the end.
- Low-carb: Skip the orzo and load up on veggies instead.
- Extra veggies: Add peas, mushrooms, or chopped zucchini.
- Make it spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne.
And that is it. This crockpot lemon chicken orzo soup is the kind of meal that just makes everything feel a little better. Even if the house is a mess and someone cried over spilled cereal, we still had dinner. It is one of those easy chicken soups to make when your brain feels full but your people still gotta eat.
I love having chicken soup crockpot recipes like this one on hand. It is simple, it is warm, and it makes me feel like I tried today. This one is def one of my fave chicken dishes in crockpot rotation. And the lemon? Makes it feel fresh even if I have not showered yet (oops).
If you are looking for hearty dinner recipes crock pot style or just want a slow cooker chicken soup that the kids will not complain about, this one is for you. It is one of those chicken soups crockpot style that works for sick days, busy days, or just days when you need something easy.
You can also try it with other chicken based soups crock pot recipes on the blog. Some are more creamy, some are spicy, some are more like hearty slow cooker chicken stew. I have even made this in my pressure cooker on a crazy day and yep — instapot soups with chicken work great too.
Anyway, hope you give this a try. It is cozy, filling, and totally one of those pot recipes easy enough to save dinner when you forgot to plan it. Whether you call it soup chicken or lemon chicken magic, it is a keeper in this house.
Catch you in the next one. Let me know if you try it, and if your kids actually eat it — cause that is the real win.
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