Cozy Creamy Chicken Basil Orzo Soup Recipe for Winter Warmth

Creamy chicken basil orzo soup represents the ultimate comfort dish for anyone seeking warmth and nourishment.

Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly to create a rich, velvety experience that refines ordinary meals into memorable moments.

Mediterranean-inspired flavors dance across your palate with each spoonful of this luxurious soup.

Delicate herbs and tender chicken mingle with soft orzo pasta, generating a harmonious texture that feels both rustic and refined.

Silky smooth and deeply satisfying, this recipe connects traditional cooking techniques with contemporary culinary sensibilities.

Nutrition meets indulgence in a bowl that promises to rejuvenate your senses and elevate your mealtime expectations.

You’ll find comfort and joy in every carefully crafted spoonful.

What Goes into This Orzo Soup Delight

• Chicken: Tender, boneless meat adds protein and creates a hearty base for the soup.
• Chicken Broth: Rich liquid foundation that provides deep flavor and cooking liquid.

• Heavy Cream: Creamy base that adds richness and smooth texture to the soup.
• Cream Cheese: Soft cheese that melts and creates a luxurious, velvety consistency.
• Parmesan Cheese: Sharp, salty cheese that enhances overall flavor and adds depth.

• Orzo: Small rice-shaped pasta that provides satisfying texture and bulk to the soup.
• Spinach: Fresh green vegetable that adds nutrition and vibrant color.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Intense, concentrated tomato pieces that bring a tangy, sweet flavor.
• Tomato Paste: Concentrated tomato product that deepens the soup's flavor profile.

• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that provides a pungent, bold flavor base.
• Basil: Fresh herb that adds bright, herbaceous notes to the soup.
• Olive Oil: Cooking fat that helps sauté ingredients and adds subtle flavor.
• Salt: Essential seasoning that enhances all other flavors.
• Italian Seasoning: Dried herb blend that provides complex, traditional Mediterranean taste.
• Onion Powder: Convenient seasoning that adds subtle onion flavor.
• Garlic Powder: Dried garlic seasoning that provides consistent flavor.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Spicy ingredient that adds a gentle heat and warmth.

Steps to Make Chicken Basil Orzo Soup

Step 1: Sear the Chicken

Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and cook until golden brown on all sides, creating a delicious caramelized exterior.

Step 2: Infuse Aromatic Flavors

Add minced garlic to the pot and cook for 30 seconds, being careful not to burn. Quickly stir in tomato paste and sun-dried tomatoes, allowing the flavors to bloom and intensify.

Step 3: Build the Soup Base

• Heavy cream
• Chopped basil
• Salt
• Italian seasoning
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Red pepper flakes

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium to develop a rich, creamy foundation.

Step 4: Cook the Pasta

Add orzo to the boiling soup and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes until the pasta reaches perfect tenderness, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 5: Finish with Creamy Greens and Cheese

• Chopped spinach
• Softened cream cheese
• Grated parmesan

Cook for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring frequently until cheeses melt completely and spinach wilts, creating a luxurious, velvety texture.

Serve hot and enjoy this comforting, flavor-packed soup that combines creamy, herbal, and savory elements in every spoonful.

Tips for Creamy Chicken Orzo Perfection

• Sear Chicken Perfectly: Brown chicken pieces over high heat to lock in rich, deep flavors and create a golden exterior that adds incredible depth to the soup.
• Prevent Garlic Burning: Stir minced garlic quickly and remove from heat within 30 seconds to avoid bitter, acrid taste that can ruin the entire dish.
• Balance Cream Consistency: Stir heavy cream slowly and steadily to prevent separation, ensuring a smooth, velvety texture throughout the soup.
• Cook Orzo Precisely: Watch orzo carefully during simmering, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and achieve perfectly al dente pasta that's neither mushy nor undercooked.
• Melt Cheeses Gently: Reduce heat when adding cream cheese and parmesan, stirring constantly to create a silky, uniform base that coats every spoonful with rich, creamy goodness.

How to Store and Reheat Orzo Soup Right

• Store the leftover soup in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool the soup completely before transferring to prevent bacterial growth. Seal the container tightly to maintain freshness and prevent absorption of other refrigerator odors.
• Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Add a splash of chicken broth or water to restore the original creamy consistency if the soup has thickened during storage. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until the soup reaches a steaming hot temperature throughout.
• Avoid freezing this particular soup, as the cream and orzo can separate and become grainy when thawed, compromising the delicious texture and flavor of the original dish.

Serving Suggestions for Basil Chicken Soup

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Choose a light, refreshing Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to complement the creamy soup's richness and balance the herb-forward basil notes.
• Serve Alongside Crusty Garlic Bread: Toasted artisan bread with a golden, buttery crust provides the perfect crunchy contrast to the soup's smooth texture and helps soak up the delicious creamy broth.
• Match with Fresh Arugula Salad: Create a light, peppery side salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette to cut through the soup's creaminess and add a bright, zesty element to the meal.
• Recommend Sparkling Water with Lemon: A crisp, effervescent drink with a citrus twist helps cleanse the palate between spoonfuls and refreshes the taste buds after each rich bite of the soup.

Flavor Twists for Chicken Orzo Lovers

• Mediterranean Zest: Replace sun-dried tomatoes with roasted red peppers for a tangy Mediterranean flavor profile. Add kalamata olives and crumbled feta cheese to enhance the Greek-inspired taste.
• Spicy Southwest Kick: Swap Italian seasoning with taco seasoning and incorporate diced green chiles. Top the soup with crispy tortilla strips and fresh cilantro for a southwest-style presentation.
• Creamy Mushroom Edition: Sauté sliced cremini or shiitake mushrooms with the chicken for an earthy undertone. Use white wine instead of additional broth to deepen the rich, savory flavor and add a touch of thyme for complexity.
• Dairy-Free Comfort: Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk and use nutritional yeast instead of parmesan. Replace cream cheese with cashew cream for a plant-based version that maintains the soup's luxurious texture.

Why You’ll Love Creamy Chicken Basil Orzo Soup

• Burst with Herbal Freshness: The chopped basil and sun-dried tomatoes infuse this soup with vibrant, aromatic flavors that dance on your taste buds, creating a Mediterranean-inspired culinary experience.
• Creamy Comfort in Minutes: This one-pot wonder transforms simple ingredients into a luxuriously smooth and hearty soup, ready in just 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknight dinners or quick comfort meals.
• Protein-Packed Nutrition Boost: Tender chicken and leafy spinach combine with creamy cheeses, delivering a satisfying meal that's both nutritious and indulgent, making it a go-to recipe for health-conscious food lovers.
• Effortless Cooking, Maximum Flavor: The simple cooking method allows home cooks of all skill levels to create a restaurant-quality soup with minimal effort, using basic techniques and readily available ingredients.

Creamy Chicken Basil Orzo Soup Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Creamy chicken basil orzo soup combines Italian comfort with fresh herb elegance. Mediterranean-inspired ingredients meld together, delivering a silky, hearty experience you’ll savor to the last spoonful.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken fillets, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup grated parmesan cheese

Liquids and Seasonings:

• 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 4 teaspoons minced garlic
• 4 teaspoons chopped fresh basil
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt or to taste
• 1.5 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Additional Ingredients:

• ¾ cup orzo
• ½ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
• 3 cups chopped fresh baby spinach

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Initiate the culinary process by heating olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat (375°F / 190°C), then carefully introduce chicken pieces and sear until golden brown on all exterior surfaces.
2. Introduce finely minced garlic to the heated vessel, allowing it to release its aromatic essence without scorching. Immediately incorporate tomato paste and sun-dried tomatoes, continuously stirring to prevent adherence to the cooking surface.
3. Gradually pour in rich chicken broth and luxurious heavy cream. Blend in freshly chopped basil, kosher salt, Italian seasoning blend, onion powder, garlic powder, and crushed red pepper flakes. Elevate temperature to trigger boiling, then immediately reduce to a gentle medium simmer.
4. Delicately sprinkle orzo pasta into the bubbling liquid, allowing it to gently cook for 10 to 15 minutes until achieving perfect al dente texture. Periodically stir to prevent potential pasta clustering or sticking.
5. Reduce cooking temperature to low, gracefully fold in roughly chopped fresh spinach leaves. Add softened cream cheese and generously grated parmesan cheese. Continue gentle stirring for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, ensuring complete cheese integration and spinach wilting while maintaining a creamy, harmonious consistency.

Notes

• Customize heat levels by adjusting red pepper flakes for mild or spicy preferences.
• Cream cheese adds luxurious richness and helps create a velvety smooth texture to the soup.
• Fresh basil brings vibrant, aromatic flavor that elevates the entire dish’s taste profile.
• Choose quality chicken pieces like boneless thighs or breasts for tender, juicy results.
• Sun-dried tomatoes contribute deep, concentrated sweetness and complex umami notes.
• Perfectly cooked orzo should be al dente with a slight bite, avoiding mushy consistency.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 515 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 890 mg
• Fat: 35 g
• Saturated Fat: 19 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 155 mg