This easy soup is always a crowd pleaser. Using standard ingredients in your fridge and pantry, it comes together without an extra trip to the grocery store!
Up until this summer, I had given up all hope of my boys showing any interest in playing a musical instrument. As a former music major and someone who started playing the flute when I was nine, I secretly hoped for a family trio. Unless you count the thump of a soccer ball against the side of the house as music, my secret hope was not meant to be.
Until this year.
At the end of elementary school in June, my youngest son (T) announced that he wanted to play the trombone in the middle school band. First, I did a not-so-silent fist pump, then reflected on the fact that T had picked the perfect instrument for his personality. Trombonist friends that I knew in college collectively described themselves as “trouble looking for a place to happen”, but “funny and friendly”. Anyone that knows T and his mischievous, but well-intentioned, ways would say, “Yep, that’s him.”
I also distinctly remember my trombonist friends being able to consume copious amounts of food and beer. Thankfully, we’re not at the beer stage with T, but the boy does love his food. So, I see it as my motherly duty to keep my little brass player well-fueled with healthy meals for his musical endeavors.
This easy soup is on of those recipes that involves rummaging around in your fridge and pantry for some staple items: chicken breasts, whole wheat pasta, crushed tomatoes, carrots and so forth. Nothing fancy. Just good, hearty comfort food, perfect for trombonists or any other “funny and friendly” types.
Other healthy chicken recipes:
Cookin’ Canuck’s Hearty Chicken Stew with Butternut Squash & Quinoa
Cookin’ Canuck’s Baked Hummus Chicken Tenders
Healthy Seasonal Recipes’ Healthy Chicken Piccata
Gimme Some Oven’s Skinny Orange Chicken
Healthy Delicious’ Baked Chicken & Spinach Flautas
Easy Chicken, Tomato & Orzo Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 teaspoons olive oil divided
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 3/4 –inch pieces
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1/2 yellow onion chopped
- 3 carrots cut into half-circles
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 3/4 teaspoon ground oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 5 1/4 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 2/3 cup whole wheat orzo pasta
- 1 14 ounce can of chickpeas, drained & rinsed
- 1/4 cup minced flat-leaf parsley
Instructions
- Heat 2 teaspoons olive oil in a large saucepan set over medium-high heat. Add the chicken, salt and pepper, and sauté until just cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a bowl.
- Turn the heat to medium and heat the remaining 1 teaspoon of oil in the saucepan. Add the onions and carrots, and cook until the vegetables are starting to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, oregano and red pepper flakes, and cook for 1 minute.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the orzo and cook until tender, 8 to 10 minutes.
- Stir in the chickpeas and heat for about 2 minutes.
- Stir in the parsley. Serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Disclosure: This post contains links to my Amazon affiliate page. Any revenue made from sales through these links helps to support this blog. Thank you!
Stephanie says
This soup looks so hearty and delicious. Can’t wait to try it!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
Hooray for the trombone!!! That instrument needs some love! Dara, oh my goodness, this soup looks fabulous! I love whole wheat orzo!!!
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way says
I am so glad I found your blog — you are just a treasure trove of delicious and nutritious recipes! I just posted your Sautéed Zucchini, Corn & Blistered Tomatoes recipe and it started out that I had all the ingredients in the fridge and needed to use it up. It was delicious — I did link back to you. Thank you for such inspiring recipes. Your son sounds like a handful :-D.
Tasha @thatssoyummy says
This soup looks so comforting love the orzo addition
Kacey @ The Cookie Writer says
This soup is stunning!! I love everything about it! I really hope my daughter wants to play an instrument in the future. It is so important for their development (plus, it is great to listen to them!)
Derek @ Dad With A Pan says
I have so much orzo and chickpeas in the house. Definitely will be trying this out!
Andi @ The Weary Chef says
My husband and I were always in the band too, so I expect my kids to be interested in playing an instrument as well. My oldest is in fourth grade this year and is going to try trumpet. I’m not looking forward to the practicing 😉 Love this soup, Dara!
The Food Hunter says
This soup sounds amazing and exactly what I was looking for. Can’t wait to try it.
Holly N @ Spend With Pennies says
I absolutely love orzo so this is definitely going on my MUST make list! It looks like a big bowl of comfort!
[email protected] says
I could so totally relate to your story! My son is the kick-the-ball-against-the-house kid, and his twin sister has steadfastly remained passionate about band (percussionist – go figure!). As someone who played clarinet clear through high school and also played high school soccer, I’ve enjoyed wondering which of my interests my kiddos would follow along, and which new endeavors they’d explore, too! Such fun! And just as great as your story … this wonderful soup! My kids will love this, too! Definitely pinning to save and to share!
Lora @cakeduchess says
I’m so impressed you were a music major…yay!! How cool that T is into the trombone…I bet you were so happy!! This soup is so comforting and everyone here loves tomato soup….so must make soon!
Melanie | Melanie Makes says
I’m so ready for soup weather and this one is definitely making it’s way to my must try list!
Martha @ A Family Feast says
My older brother played the trombone as a kid…it totally fit his personality too! 🙂
I can totally see why this soup is a family favorite – it looks delicious!
Megan {Country Cleaver} says
I’m a fan of soup all year long – and this looks delightful!!
Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough says
Yum! This is my kind of dinner! (gorgeous photos, too!)
Erin @ Texanerin Baking says
That’s awesome that he’s decided on trombone! And good that he’s holding off on the beer for now. 😉
These pictures are so pretty! I’ve never seen such a nice picture of orzo.
Justine | Cooking and Beer says
Orzo is my absolute favorite to use in soup! Love how comforting and delicious this soup looks! Pinned!
Nancy [email protected] says
My hubby is a musician and I know he has felt the same way secretly about our kids. My middle school plays flute as well! This is the perfect kind of comfort food!
Colleen (Souffle Bombay) says
Gorgeous soup…I want to add big hunks of lobster to it and give it to my husband…he’d die! Yeah for your son & welcome to my world…lol! My youngest switched from a few years of violin last year over to…wait for it…Baritone. Guess what…first chair…and the darned thing is almost as big as she is! Best of luck to him discovering his instrument & the music within 🙂
Renee - Kudos Kitchen says
I was in band all throughout my school years. I played the clarinet and loved it! Good for your son for wanting to play the trombone. He’ll have such fun!
Your soup looks so delicious, Dara. I love orzo pasta in soups. I’m pinning your recipe and will be making it as soon as I can.
Samantha says
This soup looks amazing. I love how it is tomato soup but loaded with other pretty great ingredients! It’s really great that he is picking up the trombone! I played the flute in the middle school band but I was not so good and it didn’t “stick” 🙂
Rose | The Clean Dish says
I don’t know any trombonists but it sure is an interesting instrument to be playing! Mmmm chicken tomato soup — I wish I could have a bowl full right now! I love all the ingredients in this. It’s still not soup weather in NC but we’re getting there 😉
Angela says
This was soo good. Thank you for the recipe. Very happy I found your blog. Going to try your shrimp and zucchini recipe next.
Nikki @ Nik Snacks says
This reminds me of a current commercial where the boy is fueling up on pasta to play the tuba in his school band. Way to go for your future brassy guy!
Amanda @ The Kitcheneer says
This soup looks so good to me right now! I want a mug full! And you are right, I do have all of these ingredients floating around my kitchen!
Tanya says
Making this now and looks delicious! When do you add the chicken back in though?