Instant Pot Chicken Orzo Soup (with Lemon and Kale)

Name: Instant Pot Chicken Orzo Soup (with Lemon and Kale)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 52 min
Total time: 67 min
Ingredients: 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts; 2 teaspoons dried basil; 2 teaspoons dried oregano; 1 teaspoon dried parsley; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper; 2 1/2 cups chopped carrots (1-inch thick slices); 2 cups chopped celery (1-inch thick slices); 1 large onion (diced); 1 large lemon (juiced); 8 cups no salt added chicken broth; 1 cup orzo (uncooked); 2 cups fresh kale (packed and torn)

Details on the ingredients

Orzo. This is a short-cut pasta that looks like a large grain of rice. It's normally made from white flour, but you can also get it in whole wheat. I haven't been able to find any here, so this recipe is made with white flour orzo.

Chicken. I use boneless, skinless chicken breasts to keep the soup as lean as possible. I haven't tested this recipe with bone-in breasts or thighs.

Herbs. I used dry herbs for convenience but I also find they hold up better in soups. You can use chopped fresh herbs, especially if they are in season and that's your preference. Just triple the amount as fresh herbs are not as potent as dried. I would also keep the basil leaves whole and add them at the end.

Fresh lemon. Please don't use bottled lemon juice here. Freshly squeezed lemon juice and a garnish of lemon slices gives this soup so much flavour.

Seasoned chicken breasts in the Instant Pot.

Carrots and celery. These should be cut into 1-inch thick slices to ensure they cook evenly with the rest of the soup ingredients. If you cut your veggies too thinly, they will cook quickly and get too soft.

Broth. I used no salt added chicken broth, but you can use low-sodium or regular chicken broth. Just be sure to taste test the soup before adding any more salt.

Kale. I love adding greens to soups, and kale is a hearty green that holds up well. If you don't have kale, you can use spinach. Just wait until the very end to add it to the soup as it cooks down quickly.

Ingredients to make the chicken orzo soup in the Instant Pot.

How to make lemon chicken orzo soup in the Instant Pot

Add your chicken to the Instant Pot and season with the herbs, garlic, salt and pepper. Add in the remaining ingredients except for the orzo and kale.

Pressure cook on high for 10 minutes. When the timer goes off, quick release the pressure.

Hit cancel and, with the lid off, set the Instant Pot to sauté for 7 minutes. Stir in the orzo. After 3-4 minutes, add the kale. Stir occasionally to ensure the soup doesn't burn onto the bottom of the insert.

When the timer goes off, carefully remove the chicken, shred it and return it to the Instant Pot. Stir together and serve it up.

Chicken soup cooked in the Instant Pot and ready to add the orzo and kale.

Frequently asked questions

What's the total cooking time for this soup in the Instant Pot?

The soup will take about 52 minutes in the Instant Pot. I know this sounds like a long time, but most of the time is hands off. It will take 25 minutes for the pressure to build as the Instant Pot will be full. It will then take 10 minutes to cook at high pressure and 10 minutes to depressurize. The soup is finished off on sauté mode for 7 minutes to cook the orzo and kale.

What's the best way to reheat this chicken orzo soup?

You can reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave. Leftover soup will thicken in the fridge, and the orzo will absorb a lot of broth, so before reheating leftovers you may want to add some more broth or water.

Can you freeze soup with orzo in it?

I don't recommend freezing this soup. The orzo will not hold its texture once frozen and defrosted, which will make your soup mushy.

Overhead view of lemon chicken soup with orzo in the Instant Pot.

📖 Recipe

Comments

5 from 13 votes