Tomato, Chicken and Orzo Soup
A bright, filling soup of shredded chicken, orzo and spinach in lemony tomato broth.
Made with Basic tomato sauce and Homemade chicken stock. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time40 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.90 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat the oil in a large pot. Cook the garlic and chilli for 30 seconds until fragrant.
0 min 30 s - 2
Add your ready made basic tomato sauce (see the base recipe) and homemade chicken stock (see the base recipe) and bring to a simmer.
- 3
Add the whole chicken breasts, cover, and poach gently for 15 minutes until cooked through with no pink. Lift out and shred with two forks.
15 min - 4
Add the orzo to the pot and simmer for 8 to 9 minutes, stirring now and then, until tender.
9 min - 5
Return the chicken with the spinach, lemon zest and juice. Cook for 2 minutes until the spinach wilts.
2 min - 6
Season to taste and serve in warm bowls.
Tips
- Stir often once the orzo goes in, as it can stick to the base of the pot.
- The soup thickens as it stands. Add a splash of stock or water on reheating.
- Add the lemon at the end so it stays fresh.
Storing and freezing
Keep in the fridge for up to 2 days, since the orzo keeps swelling. Freeze the soup before adding orzo for up to 3 months. Reheat until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Can I make it gluten free?
Yes. Swap the orzo for a small gluten free pasta or a handful of rice, and cook to its packet time.
Can I use leftover roast chicken?
Yes. Use about 300 g cooked chicken and stir it in at the end, just to warm through.
Why did my soup go thick?
The orzo absorbs liquid as it sits. Loosen with hot stock or water when reheating.
More made with basic tomato sauce
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.