This Crockpot Creamy Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup is pure comfort in a bowl, and the slow cooker does almost all the work. Chicken breasts simmer low and slow with carrots, celery, onion, garlic and lemon zest until they are tender enough to shred with a fork.

Then the orzo cooks right in the broth, and a splash of heavy cream, Parmesan, fresh spinach and lemon juice turn it into a cozy, creamy soup that tastes bright and fresh at the same time. It is the kind of soup you will want on repeat all fall and winter long.

Two bowls of creamy lemon chicken orzo soup topped with Parmesan and fresh dill

Why You’ll Love This Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

Crockpot easy: Add everything to the slow cooker and let it do the work while you go about your day.
Creamy and bright: Heavy cream and Parmesan make it rich, and fresh lemon keeps it light.
A complete meal: Chicken, veggies, orzo and spinach all in one bowl.
Family friendly: Cozy, comforting flavors that everyone at the table will love.

Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup Ingredients

Chicken Breasts

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts cook right in the broth until tender, then get shredded and stirred back into the soup.

Onion, Carrots, Celery and Garlic

The classic soup base. These veggies soften as they slow cook and give the broth tons of flavor.

Chicken Broth and Seasonings

Chicken broth, Italian seasoning, oregano, paprika, salt, pepper and lemon zest season everything from the start.

Orzo

This small, rice-shaped pasta cooks right in the crockpot at the end, so it soaks up all that lemony broth without getting mushy.

Heavy Cream and Parmesan

Stirred in at the end to make the soup silky and creamy, with a salty, savory finish from freshly grated Parmesan.

Spinach, Lemon and Fresh Herbs

Fresh spinach wilts right into the hot soup, and a squeeze of lemon juice with fresh parsley and dill brightens every bowl.

Good to Know: Use your favorite gluten-free small pasta in place of the orzo if you need this soup to be gluten-free.

How to Make Crockpot Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

Step 1: Load the Crockpot

Add the chicken breasts, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, oregano, paprika, salt, pepper and lemon zest to the crockpot.

Raw chicken breasts in a white slow cooker

Diced carrots, celery, onion, garlic and seasonings in a slow cooker

Step 2: Slow Cook

Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours or on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours, until the chicken reaches 165°F.

Step 3: Shred the Chicken

Remove the chicken, shred it with two forks, and return it to the crockpot.

Step 4: Cook the Orzo

Stir in the orzo, cover, and cook on HIGH for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is al dente.

Adding dry orzo to chicken soup in a slow cooker

Step 5: Make It Creamy

Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan, spinach and lemon juice, and let everything warm through until the spinach wilts.

Stirring fresh spinach and shredded chicken into creamy orzo soup

Step 6: Taste and Serve

Taste and adjust the salt, pepper and lemon juice, and add a little extra broth if the soup is too thick. Serve topped with Parmesan, dill and parsley.

Carly’s Expert Tips

Don’t add the orzo too early. Stirring it in at the end keeps it from getting mushy.
Thin it as needed. Orzo keeps soaking up broth, so add a splash more broth before serving if needed.
Finish with lemon. Taste at the end and add more lemon juice for an extra bright soup.

Bowl of creamy lemon chicken orzo soup with spinach, carrots and Parmesan

Make It Your Own

Chicken thighs: Use boneless, skinless thighs for extra juicy chicken.
Kale: Swap the spinach for chopped kale.
Extra lemony: Add the juice of a whole lemon.

Make-Ahead and Meal Prep: Cook the soup through step 3 up to 2 days ahead. Reheat, then add the orzo and finish the soup the day you serve it.

What to Serve With Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

Serve this soup with crusty bread or garlic bread for dunking, a simple green salad, or warm biscuits for an extra cozy dinner.

Storing and Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The orzo will keep soaking up the broth, so add a splash of chicken broth when you reheat it on the stove over medium-low heat.

Creamy lemon chicken orzo soup in a pink bowl with fresh dill and lemon

What People Ask About Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

Can I use rotisserie chicken?

Yes. Skip the slow cooking time for the chicken, cook the veggies in the broth until tender, then add the shredded rotisserie chicken with the orzo.

Can I freeze this soup?

Cream and pasta soups do not freeze well. If you want to freeze it, freeze the soup before adding the orzo and cream, then finish it after thawing.

Why is my orzo mushy?

Orzo keeps absorbing liquid as it sits. Cook it just until al dente and serve the soup right away.