Hidden Veggie Orzo Soup - The Modern Nonna (2024)

This Hidden Veggie Orzo Soup with 🐔 chicken is the ultimate comfort food, because not only is it easy, but it also has the most stunning color from the blended veggies.

This soup is for anyone who might be picky about their veggies and loves a smooth texture. I have been blending veggies into my soups and sauces for as long as I can remember so I know you will absolutely love it.

I hope that this recipe gives you inspiration and helps your little ones as I know how picky kids can be with veggies. With the busy school/work year, this recipe is perfect in a thermos, and I know kids and adults won’t be able to get enough! Soup is so comforting and cozy, it’s simply one of my favorite dishes to make.

One of my favorite things about this easy-to-prepare soup is how healthy it is! Your family will be getting a delicious serving of nutrient-dense veggies in this hearty 🥘 soup.

I also love how you can make this soup your own. Want to add some spinach? Need to make a lower-sodium version? Have a gluten allergy and need to use a substitute for the orzo? These are all easy changes you can make to this simple but delicious soup.

Lastly, I am obsessed with making balanced, one-pot meals, so you better believe that this one fits the bill. Chicken, vegetables, and orzo have all the primary food groups covered and will leave you feeling fuller for longer. Look no further for a flavorful dinner that the whole family can enjoy.

How To Prepare Hidden Veggie Orzo Soup

• In a large pot, combine 💦 water and vegetable broth. Add the whole peeled and washed 🥕 vegetables and bring everything to a boil.
• Once boiling, add the 🐔 chicken. While everything cooks, remove any foam that accumulates on the surface with a 🥄 spoon. Then, season with salt, remembering that you can adjust later as needed.
• Reduce heat to medium-low, partially cover with a lid, and let it simmer for 45-60 minutes until the vegetables are soft, the chicken is cooked, and the broth has reduced.
• Remove the chicken from the pot and allow it to cool, then shred or cut the chicken, discarding any bones or skin, and set it aside.
• With a slotted spoon, remove the whole vegetables from the pot. Place them in a blender along with two ladles of the clear broth. Blend until smooth, then add this mixture back into the pot.
• Add the orzo to the pot and cook for 7-8 minutes or until it reaches an al-dente texture.
• Incorporate the shredded chicken into the pot and add fresh 🌿 parsley for a garnish. Stir the soup well. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.

Substitutes and Variations

Hidden Veggie Orzo Soup lends itself to a number of different add-ins or variations. Let me know in the comments if you try any!

• Instead of chicken drumsticks, you can use chicken thighs, chicken breasts or even 🦃 turkey.
• Feel free to switch up the vegetables based on your preferences or whatever you have in the fridge. If you choose to add leafy greens like spinach or kale, do so at the end of cooking the other vegetables.
• If you don’t have orzo or don’t want to use it, you could swap it out for ditalini, small shells, or even 🍚 rice.
• Try this recipe with different herbs like cilantro, basil or even dill.
• If you need to make this recipe gluten-free, you could replace the orzo with rice, gluten-free pasta, or quinoa.
• Want to make the soup 🔥 spicier? Add some 🌶 red pepper flakes, or some cayenne pepper.

Best Served With

Consider serving this easy Hidden Veggie Orzo Soup with some delicious homemade bread. Here are some of my favorites:

• No-Knead Peasant Bread
• No-Knead Gluten-Free Bread
• Cheesy Roasted Garlic Bread
• Grandma’s No-Knead Olive Bread
• No-Knead Focaccia

Other Soup Recipes

• Lasagna Soup
• Pastina Soup
• Greek Lemon Soup
• The Best Lentil Soup
• The Best Chicken Soup Ever
• Healthy Cream of Broccoli Soup
• Healthiest Cream of Hidden Veggie Soup
• Hidden Veggie Meatball Soup
• Chicken Noodle Soup

Common Questions