Are you in search of a meal that feels like a warm embrace yet is also light, zesty, and brimming with wholesome ingredients? In our busy lives, we often yearn for dishes that are both deeply satisfying and straightforward to make. Imagine serving up a delicious, spirit-lifting soup in less than an hour—one that transports you to a sun-kissed shoreline with every spoonful. We’re here to tell you it’s entirely possible. Allow us to introduce our incredible Mediterranean Chicken Soup, a recipe that strikes the perfect harmony between comforting warmth and invigorating, fresh flavours.

This is far more than your average chicken soup. It’s a joyful homage to the healthy, flavour-forward ingredients that define Mediterranean cuisine. We bring together succulent shredded chicken, an abundance of fresh vegetables, and hearty chickpeas in a fragrant broth, brightened with the uplifting notes of lemon and herbs. It is precisely the kind of dish that tastes as though it’s been simmering away for hours, yet it remains one of our go-to quick dinner recipes. Let’s explore how you can craft this beautiful meal in your very own kitchen.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• A Symphony of Bright Flavours: The blend of sharp lemon, fresh dill, parsley, and aromatic oregano delivers a vibrant and sophisticated taste that truly sets this soup apart.
• Wholesome and Nourishing: With lean protein from chicken and chickpeas, plus a wealth of vitamins from a rainbow of vegetables, this is a genuinely healthy chicken soup that nurtures you from within.
• Effortlessly Quick: From the first chop to the final garnish, you can have this wonderful meal on the table in under an hour, making it ideal for a hectic weeknight.
• Beautifully Adaptable: Think of this recipe as a brilliant canvas. Feel free to personalise it by adding greens like spinach, other vegetables like bell peppers, or swapping the orzo for quinoa to match your preferences.
• An All-Season Delight: While it provides ample comfort on a cold evening, its light and zesty character makes it just as enjoyable on a mild spring or summer day.

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 500g boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• 1.5 litres (about 6 cups) good-quality chicken or vegetable stock
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
• 1 tsp salt, or to taste
• 150g orzo pasta
• 1 medium courgette, diced
• 1 x 400g tin of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• Juice of 1 large lemon
• A large handful of fresh dill, finely chopped
• A large handful of fresh parsley, finely chopped
• Extra lemon wedges and fresh herbs, for serving

The Heart of Mediterranean Cooking

The Mediterranean way of eating is continually celebrated by health professionals for its wide-ranging benefits, promoting everything from cardiovascular health to a longer life. A cornerstone of this approach, as championed by groups like the British Heart Foundation, is the emphasis on whole foods: an abundance of fresh vegetables, lean proteins, healthy fats, and aromatic herbs. This Mediterranean Chicken Soup is a perfect expression of that ethos. It’s not about taking things away; it’s about celebrating the natural deliciousness of its components.

Each ingredient in this vegetable packed soup has a distinct purpose. The foundational ‘sofrito’ of onion, carrots, and celery establishes a deep, savoury base. The lean chicken offers satisfying protein, while chickpeas contribute extra fibre and texture. However, it’s the final addition of zesty lemon and fresh herbs that transforms it into a hallmark lemon herb soup, cutting through the richness to add a brilliant layer of freshness that makes every bite sing.

Crafting Your Mediterranean Chicken Soup: A Step-by-Step Guide

Putting together this delightful soup is a simple and gratifying experience. We’ve outlined the process in clear stages to guide you towards a perfect outcome every single time. Find your favourite large saucepan or Dutch oven, and let’s begin!

1. Building the Flavour Base

The soul of any memorable soup is its foundation. We begin by gently cooking the vegetables to release their innate sweetness, which creates a rich canvas for the other flavours to build upon.

1. Warm the olive oil in your large pot over a medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery.
2. Sauté for 8–10 minutes, stirring now and then, until the vegetables are tender and the onion has turned translucent. Taking your time with this step is key!
3. Stir in the minced garlic and dried oregano, cooking for one more minute until you can smell their wonderful aroma. This brief toasting releases their oils and intensifies their flavour.

2. Cooking the Chicken and Creating the Broth

Following that, we gently poach the chicken right in the aromatic stock. This technique guarantees that the chicken remains exceptionally tender and juicy, all while its flavour permeates the entire soup.

1. Add the whole chicken breasts or thighs to the pot with the softened vegetables.
2. Pour over the chicken stock, season with salt and pepper, and bring the mixture to a boil.
3. As soon as it boils, lower the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Pop the lid on and allow it to cook for 15–20 minutes, or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked with no pink remaining.
4. Gently lift the chicken out of the pot and set it aside on a chopping board to cool down slightly.

3. Finishing the Soup

Now that the chicken is cooked, it’s time to unite the remaining components and complete our culinary masterpiece.

1. As the chicken cools, add the orzo pasta to the simmering broth. Let it cook according to the instructions on the packet, which is typically about 8–10 minutes.
2. While the orzo is cooking, take two forks and shred the chicken into lovely, bite-sized strips. If you’re after other simple chicken dishes, our Creamy Baked Tuscan Chicken also offers incredible taste for minimal fuss.
3. In the final 5 minutes of the orzo’s cooking time, stir in the diced courgette and rinsed chickpeas. This is just enough time for them to become tender without losing their texture.
4. Add the shredded chicken back into the pot. Stir to combine and allow it to heat through for a minute.
5. Take the pot off the heat. This is a vital step! Now, stir through the fresh lemon juice, chopped dill, and parsley. Adding these vibrant ingredients at the end, away from direct heat, ensures their fresh flavour and bright colour are preserved.
6. Have a taste of the soup and adjust the seasoning as needed. You might find it needs an extra pinch of salt, a crack of pepper, or another squeeze of lemon to be just right for your palate.

Serving and Storage Suggestions

We believe this soup is best served piping hot, garnished with an extra scattering of fresh dill or parsley and a wedge of lemon on the side for anyone who loves an additional citrusy tang. While it’s a hearty meal on its own, it’s also wonderful accompanied by a slice of warm, crusty bread or toasted pitta for soaking up every last drop of the delicious broth.

For those who enjoy satisfying chicken dinners, you may also like our recipe for Bacon Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders, which offers a completely different yet equally delightful weeknight option.

This soup is also brilliant for meal prepping. You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. Just keep in mind that the orzo will soak up more liquid over time, causing the soup to thicken. When you reheat it, simply add a splash of water or chicken stock to loosen it back to your preferred consistency.

FAQ

A Bowl of Sunshine You Can Count On

Our Mediterranean Chicken Soup recipe offers more than just sustenance; it’s an experience. It delivers all the comfort of a traditional chicken soup but elevates it with the vibrant, life-affirming flavours of a Mediterranean climate. This dish is a testament to the fact that healthy eating can be incredibly flavourful, easy, and deeply satisfying.

Whether you’re after a speedy and nourishing dinner for the family, a comforting meal to help you feel better, or a fantastic dish to prepare for the week, this soup delivers on all fronts. We’re sure it will quickly earn a cherished spot in your recipe repertoire.

So, we invite you to bring a little taste of the Mediterranean into your home tonight. Give this recipe a go, and please do let us know what you think in the comments section below. We always enjoy hearing about your kitchen creations!

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Create our vibrant and healthy chicken soup with this easy Mediterranean Chicken Soup recipe! It’s loaded with fresh vegetables, zesty lemon, and tender chicken. An ideal quick dinner!

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Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 40 mins
Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 500g boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• 1.5 litres (about 6 cups) good-quality chicken stock
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
• 1 tsp salt, or to taste
• 150g orzo pasta
• 1 medium courgette, diced
• 1 x 400g tin of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• Juice of 1 large lemon
• A large handful of fresh dill, finely chopped
• A large handful of fresh parsley, finely chopped
• Extra lemon wedges, for serving

Instructions

1. Warm olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 8-10 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and oregano and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
2. Add the whole chicken breasts, chicken stock, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
3. Carefully remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside to cool slightly.
4. Add the orzo to the simmering broth and cook according to package directions (usually 8-10 minutes).
5. While the orzo cooks, shred the chicken using two forks.
6. During the last 5 minutes of the orzo’s cooking time, add the diced courgette, rinsed chickpeas, and shredded chicken back into the pot.
7. Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the fresh lemon juice, dill, and parsley.
8. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot, garnished with extra fresh herbs and a lemon wedge.

Nutrition (per serving):
531 calories,
51g carbs,
52g protein,
13g fat

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