Instant Pot Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

Instant Pot Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup is simple to make yet bursting with so much flavor. It’s a delicious alternative to traditional chicken noodle soup made with wholesome, everyday ingredients. Your whole family will love this cozy Instant Pot lemon chicken soup.

Post includes Weight Watchers points.

This incredible lemon chicken orzo soup instant pot recipe is a delightful twist on classic chicken noodle soup. It’s loaded with hearty vegetables, tender chicken, and lots of orzo pasta. The addition of lemon juice gives this instant pot chicken orzo soup a bright flavor that’s uplifting and comforting. 

Whether you find yourself down with a cold or the flu, or you are just looking for a simple and delicious lunch option, you’re going to love this Instant Pot Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup. Traditional noodles are swapped for rice-shaped orzo pasta and in addition to chunks of chicken, there are colorful carrots and celery in every bite.

I happen to think that the best part of this soup is the fresh lemon juice. The unique lemon chicken flavor is so refreshing, you’ll be making this easy pressure cooker lemon chicken orzo soup every time you need a pick-me-up. Trust me when I say that this will become one of your favorite instant pot soup recipes. 

Why Make This Recipe

• Wholesome And Delicious – This instant pot lemon chicken orzo soup is packed with delicious, wholesome ingredients so it tastes good and is good for you. 
• Easy To Make – This Instant Pot chicken orzo soup cooks fast with only a few minutes of prep work. 
• Comforting – Just like traditional chicken noodle soup, this recipe is a true comfort food staple. Delicious lemon chicken soup is ideal for serving at lunch, dinner, or any time. 

Ingredient Notes

• Olive Oil – Use your preferred light, neutral-flavored oil. 
• Vegetables and Aromatics – A combination of white onion, carrots, celery and freshly minced garlic adds flavor, color and bulk to this lemon chicken orzo soup. 
• Salt and Pepper – Season to taste using salt and freshly ground black pepper. 
• Chicken Broth – You can use regular or low sodium chicken stock when making lemon chicken orzo soup.  
• Chicken – Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work well in this lemon chicken orzo soup, but you can substitute boneless, skinless chicken thighs or chicken tenders. 
• Orzo Pasta – Orzo pasta is a rice-shaped pasta that is a great addition to soup. 
• Lemon Juice – Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds a bright flavor. You can increase the amount of lemon juice to taste or add lemon zest to really bump up the fresh lemon flavor.
• Fresh Herbs – Fresh parsley or other fresh herbs are optional but make a nice garnish and add a bit of flavor. 

How To Make Instant Pot Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

Get full ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.

1. Set Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat the oil.
2. Add onion, carrots, and celery and sauté vegetables for several minutes until the onion is translucent. Add in minced garlic, stir and press cancel. 
3. Pour in the chicken broth and scrape the bottom of the pot to deglaze the pan and dislodge anything that is stuck on the bottom.
4. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper and add to the liquid in the Instant Pot making sure they are completely covered.
5. Cover and seal the Instant Pot lid and cook at high pressure for 6 minutes followed by an 8-minute natural pressure release. 
6. Release any remaining pressure and open the Instant Pot. Remove the chicken breasts to a plate and cut into chunks or shred chicken with two forks. Set aside.
7. Return the instant pot to sauté mode, add the orzo to the liquid, and cook for about 6 minutes or until the pasta is cooked through. 
8. Press cancel and return the chicken to the soup followed by the lemon juice and herbs if using. Adjust seasoning and then serve immediately.
   

Note: Always check for doneness with a meat thermometer. The temperature should be 165 degrees F / 74 degrees C when inserted into the thickest part of the chicken.

Tips For Success

• You can substitute boneless, skinless chicken thighs or chicken tenders if you prefer.
• If you want to use rotisserie chicken (or leftover chicken), cut the cooking time in half and add the chicken to the instant pot at the same time as the orzo so you don’t overcook it. 
• Use low-sodium chicken broth and adjust salt to taste. 
• Use a microplane to zest the lemon before adding the juice. This will create a more intense lemon flavor.
• Create a roux of butter and flour to thicken the soup. 
• Top the soup with a bit of grated parmesan cheese.
• Orzo can soak up a lot of liquid, so you may need to add a bit more broth to get the consistency that you prefer. 
• Cooking times listed do not include the time it takes for the instant pot to come up to pressure or for the pressure to release.

Variations

• Use Shredded Rotisserie Chicken – Shredded chicken is great in this soup recipe. To use rotisserie chicken, cut the cooking time for the soup in half and add the shredded chicken near the end of the recipe when you add the orzo pasta. 
• Add More Vegetables – You can add your favorite vegetables to this soup. Mushrooms are a favorite of mine, but you can add broccoli, cauliflower, potatoes, and more. 
• Thicken The Soup – You can thicken this soup with a roux of 3 tablespoons butter and 3 tablespoons flour. Add it just after the orzo has finished cooking and cook for 1-2 minutes, or until the soup has thickened slightly. 
• Add Spinach – Tear baby spinach leaves and add to the soup just before serving. They will wilt and add lots of goodness to the soup. 
• Add Herbs – Fresh parsley is a great choice, but you can also add a fresh rosemary sprig to this lemon orzo soup. 

Budget-Friendly Tips 

• Buy Chicken In Bulk – Purchase chicken in bulk or on sale and freeze it for later use. 
• Save Leftover Chicken – Save small amounts of leftover chicken in freezer bags (for up to 3 months) until you have enough to make a batch of soup. 
• Use Rotisserie Chicken – It’s affordable and will cut down on the time needed to make this Instant Pot lemon chicken orzo soup. 
• Make Homemade Chicken Broth – Boil a chicken carcass or chicken bones along with vegetable ends to make homemade chicken broth to use when preparing this recipe. 

Prep Ahead And Storage

• Prep Ahead – Cook the soup in advance and add the orzo just before serving. 
• Store – Store the soup for 4-5 days in an airtight container in the fridge. 
• Freeze – To freeze the leftover soup, cool it completely and pour it into a freezer safe container. Freeze for up to three months. Orzo can become mushy when frozen, so I recommend freezing without the pasta and adding fresh orzo just before serving. 

Meal Prep

• Enjoy Lemon Orzo Chicken Soup Instant Pot for dinner then save the leftovers to enjoy for up to 5 more days. 
• Prepare the soup and the orzo separately and add the pasta to the soup just before serving. 
• This easy Instant Pot chicken orzo soup makes a delightful lunch option. 

FAQs

More Recipes You May Like

• Instant Pot Chicken Gnocchi Soup (Olive Garden copycat recipe).
• Dump and Start Instant Pot Minestrone Soup.
• Instant Pot Chicken Tortellini Soup.

Serving Suggestions

• Instant Pot Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup pairs perfectly with a side of classic garlic bread and a tossed green salad.
• This refreshing Fruit Salad with Poppyseed Dressing is also a great addition.
• Finish your meal with a slice of this Ice Cream Sandwich Cake.

Weight Watchers Points

There are 3 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.

Get The Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup Instant Pot Recipe: