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Warm Salt and Lavender Creamy Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup - Cozy, Bright, and Comforting

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • Olive oil or unsalted butter
  • Yellow onion
  • Celery
  • Carrots
  • Garlic
  • Chicken broth or stock
  • Cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie works great)
  • Orzo pasta
  • Heavy cream (or half-and-half)
  • Lemon (zest and juice)
  • Culinary dried lavender (very small amount)
  • Fresh thyme (or dried)
  • Bay leaf
  • Baby spinach or chopped kale (optional, but nice)
  • Warm salt (fine sea salt or kosher salt)
  • Black pepper
  • Parmesan, for serving (optional)

Method
 

  1. Sweat the aromatics: In a large pot, heat 1–2 tablespoons olive oil or butter over medium. Add finely chopped onion, celery, and carrots with a pinch of warm salt. Cook 6–8 minutes until softened.
  2. Add garlic and herbs: Stir in minced garlic, 1–2 teaspoons fresh thyme, and 1 bay leaf. Cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Bloom the lavender: Add a tiny pinch (about 1/8 teaspoon) of culinary dried lavender, crushed between your fingers. Stir for 10–15 seconds to release aroma. Do not overdo it.
  4. Build the broth: Pour in 6 cups chicken broth. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce to a lively simmer.
  5. Cook the orzo: Add 3/4 cup orzo. Simmer 8–10 minutes, stirring often so it doesn’t stick. Season with warm salt and black pepper.
  6. Add chicken: Stir in 2–3 cups cooked shredded chicken. Simmer 2–3 minutes to warm through.
  7. Make it creamy: Lower the heat. Stir in 1/2–3/4 cup heavy cream. Let it gently heat—do not boil after adding cream.
  8. Lemon lift: Add zest of 1 lemon and 2–3 tablespoons lemon juice. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, and lemon to your liking.
  9. Finish with greens: Fold in a few handfuls of baby spinach or chopped kale. Cook 1–2 minutes until just wilted. Remove the bay leaf.
  10. Serve: Ladle into bowls. Top with freshly grated Parmesan and extra black pepper if you like. Add a sprinkle of thyme leaves for a fresh finish.