Spring Vegetable Soup Recipe
A vibrant and nourishing Spring Vegetable Soup featuring fresh seasonal vegetables, tender shredded chicken, and orzo pasta, cooked in a flavorful vegetable broth with a hint of lemon and fresh dill. Perfect for a light yet satisfying meal that warms the soul.
- Author: Windy
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Vegetables
- 1 cup chopped yellow onion
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1.5 cups chopped carrots (approx. 2 carrots)
- 1.5 cups chopped asparagus (woody stems removed)
- 1.5 cups chopped snap peas
- 1 leek, cut into 1/4-inch rounds (white part only)
- 2 leaves swiss chard, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
- 1/2 lemon, juice only (or whole lemon if preferred)
Liquids & Fats
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 5 cups low sodium vegetable broth
Grains & Protein
- 3/4 cup dry orzo (gluten-free option available, see notes)
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded (vegetarian option available, see notes)
Seasonings
- 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Heat aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large, deep pot over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Stir frequently and cook for about 5 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant.
- Sauté vegetables: Add the chopped carrots, asparagus, snap peas, leeks, and Italian seasoning to the pot. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then stir and cook for approximately 3 minutes to slightly soften the vegetables.
- Add broth and bring to boil: Pour in the low sodium vegetable broth. Cover the pot with a lid and bring the broth to a rolling boil over medium-high heat.
- Cook orzo and chicken: Once the broth is boiling, stir in the uncooked orzo, chopped swiss chard, and shredded cooked chicken. Reduce heat slightly to maintain a gentle boil and cook for about 6 minutes until the orzo is tender and the vegetables are cooked through.
- Finish and season: Stir in the fresh dill and lemon juice. Taste the soup and adjust seasoning by adding more salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot into bowls immediately for a fresh, spring-inspired meal.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the orzo with gluten-free pasta or quinoa.
- To make this soup vegetarian, omit the chicken or substitute it with cooked chickpeas or tofu for added protein.
- Leek should be thoroughly cleaned to remove any grit before chopping.
- Leftover soup can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
Keywords: spring vegetable soup, chicken soup, orzo soup, healthy soup, easy soup recipe, seasonal vegetables, light dinner