Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

This was inspired by the same soup at Panera Bread.

Ingredients:

Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon
Onion: 1 medium - sized, diced
Carrots: 2 medium - sized, diced
Celery: 3 ribs, diced
Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
Bay Leaf: 1
Dried Thyme: 3/4 teaspoon
Dried Oregano: 3/4 teaspoon
Vegetable Stock: 3 32 oz boxes
Chicken: 2 thighs, cooked and shredded
Orzo Pasta: 1/2 cup, half cooked
Lemon Juice: 1/3 cup, from about 1 and 1/2 lemons
Lemon Zest: from 2 lemons
Salt: to taste
Pepper: to taste
Spinach: 1 cup, chiffonade

Steps:

1. Heat oil in large pot.
2. Cook onion, carrots, and celery till vegetables are soft.
3. Add garlic, bay leaf, dried thyme, dried oregano, salt, and pepper for two minutes.
4. Add broth and boil for 5 minutes.
5. Add chicken, pasta, and lemon zest and stir.
6. Add lemon juice and spinach.  Smimer for 5 minutes.
7. Garnish with crushed pepper and lemon juice.  Serve.

Recipe based on http://panerabreadathome.blogspot.com/2012/09/lemon-chicken-orzo-soup.html?m=1