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Lemon Zucchini Orzo Soup

Lemon Zucchini Orzo Summer Soup
Written By: The Old Farmer’s Almanac Editors The Almanac Editors and Staff
Yield
Makes 4 servings.
Category
Vegetables
Course
Soup
Preparation Method
Cook
Sources
2014 All-Seasons Garden Guide

This Lemon Zucchini Orzo Soup recipe was a winner in The Old Farmer’s Almanac Garden Guide Recipe Contest! Winner: Jessica Kleinbaum, Plant City, Florida.  See more winning recipes.

Ingredients
6 ounces uncooked orzo pasta
1/2 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/2 yellow onion, thinly sliced
1-1/2 cups diced zucchini
1-1/2 cups diced yellow summer squash
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1/2 cup white cooking wine
2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley
1 quart chicken stock
1 bundle fresh thyme (tied with kitchen twine)
juice of one lemon
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Parmesan cheese, for serving

Instructions

  1. Cook the orzo according to the package instructions, drain, and set aside.
  2. Dice the chicken into 1-inch cubes.
  3. In a large pot over medium heat, sauté the chicken in olive oil. Remove the chicken and reduce the heat to medium-low. Sauté the onion until soft. 
  4. Add the zucchini, squash, and garlic and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Increase the heat to medium and return the chicken to the pot. 
  5. Add the wine and parsley and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the chicken stock and thyme bundle. 
  6. Bring to a low simmer. Add the lemon juice and cooked orzo and simmer for 5 minutes. 
  7. Add salt and pepper. Remove the thyme bundle before serving.
  8. Serve hot, topped with Parmesan cheese.

About The Author

The Old Farmer’s Almanac Editors

The Old Farmer’s Almanac Editors

The Almanac Editors and Staff

Under the guiding hand of its first editor, Robert B. Thomas, the premiere issue of The Old Farmer’s Almanac was published in 1792 during George Washington’s first term as president.Today, the Almanac...

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Comments

<span>Lia</span> Fri, 08/28/2026 - 07:31
I have made this summer soup several times exactly as instructed. It is absolutely delish! Great way to use up some of that surplus squash & zucchini we inevitably end up with! I have a question…can I freeze this? I would omit the orzo and cook it to add when I defrost the soup…will that work?