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.
And if you love the ease of cooking with orzo in soups and pasta dishes, try these recipes: Mushroom Orzo "Risotto", Orzo with Grilled Pears & Cheese and Lemon Orzo Salad.
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
Printable Recipe
Easy Chicken, Tomato & Orzo Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 teaspoons olive oil divided
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into ¾ –inch pieces
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
- ½ yellow onion chopped
- 3 carrots cut into half-circles
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ¾ teaspoon ground oregano
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 5 ¼ cups low sodium chicken broth
- â…” cup whole wheat orzo pasta
- 1 14 ounce can of chickpeas, drained & rinsed
- ¼ 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
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Renee - Kudos Kitchen
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.
Colleen (Souffle Bombay)
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 🙂
Nancy P.@thebittersideofsweet
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!
Justine | Cooking and Beer
Orzo is my absolute favorite to use in soup! Love how comforting and delicious this soup looks! Pinned!
Erin @ Texanerin Baking
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.
Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough
Yum! This is my kind of dinner! (gorgeous photos, too!)
Megan {Country Cleaver}
I'm a fan of soup all year long - and this looks delightful!!
Martha @ A Family Feast
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!
Melanie | Melanie Makes
I'm so ready for soup weather and this one is definitely making it's way to my must try list!
Lora @cakeduchess
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!