Ingredients
Chicken and Broth
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 6 cups chicken broth
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Liquids and Flavorings
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/2 cup capers, drained
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Herbs and Seasoning
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Pasta
- 1 cup orzo pasta
Instructions
- Poach the Chicken: In a large pot, bring the chicken broth to a simmer. Add the chicken breasts and poach gently for 15-20 minutes until fully cooked through. Remove the chicken breasts from broth and set aside to cool.
- Shred the Chicken: Once the chicken is cool enough to handle, shred it into bite-sized pieces using two forks.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: In a separate large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until it starts to soften, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute, stirring frequently, avoiding burning.
- Deglaze with Wine: Pour in the dry white wine and allow it to simmer until reduced by half, scraping up any caramelized bits from the bottom to enhance flavor.
- Add Broth and Lemon: Pour in the reserved chicken broth from poaching, along with fresh lemon juice and lemon zest. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
- Combine Chicken and Capers: Stir in the shredded chicken and drained capers. Reduce heat and let the soup simmer gently for 10 minutes to meld flavors.
- Add Cream and Season: Stir in the heavy cream, mix thoroughly, and allow the soup to simmer an additional 5 minutes. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Prepare Orzo: Separately, cook the orzo pasta according to package directions until al dente, then drain well.
- Finish and Serve: Just before serving, incorporate the drained orzo pasta into the soup and stir in the chopped fresh parsley for a bright, fresh finish.
Notes
- For deeper flavor, allow the onion and garlic to caramelize lightly to a golden brown before adding the wine. This adds richness with the fond scraped from the pot.
- Use thin chicken cutlets to reduce poaching time.
- Garnish with lemon slices and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese for added zest and savory touch.
- To save time, substitute cooked rotisserie chicken and additional chicken broth in place of poaching your own chicken breasts.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American