I borrowed this recipe from the Panera Bread summer menu. I usually get the broccoli cheese or chicken noodle soup but strayed and tried their Lemon Chicken Orzo soup. I knew right away I could replicate this recipe at home. I made a few changes by adding fresh basil and swiss chard, which really amped up the flavor.
What you need (makes 6 cups)
8 cups water
1 chicken breast
2 chicken bouillon cubes, I recommend Maggie.
1/2 cup lemon juice
1/2 lemon
1 small bunch swiss chard
1/2 cup orzo, dry
oregano
fresh basil
salt
pepper
What you need to do:
You will have 3 pots going: one for soup, one for chicken, and one for the orzo
Bring 8 cups water to a boil in the first pot
Add bouillon cubes and allow them to dissolve
In a separate pot, boil chicken
In a separate pot, cook orzo according to the directions on the box
Add lemon juice, oregano, fresh basil, swiss chard salt, and pepper to the first pot (with the bouillon cubes) cover and simmer.
Slice lemon and add a few slices to the soup. Cover and simmer.
Remove cooked chicken from pot, carefully cut into small chunks and add to soup mixture
Add cooked orzo to the soup mixture at the very end
Simmer for a few extra minutes and enjoy!