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Lemon Chickpea Orzo Soup Recipe

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★★★★★

4.1 from 79 reviews

A light and comforting Lemon Chickpea Orzo Soup that combines hearty chickpeas, tender orzo pasta, and vibrant lemon flavors. This easy-to-make soup is packed with wholesome vegetables and almond butter for creaminess, perfect for a nutritious meal ready in just 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables

  • 2 medium carrots (peeled)
  • 1 large celery rib
  • 1/2 medium onion
  • 2 cloves of garlic

Other Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 can chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
  • 4 cups (1 litre) vegetable stock
  • 3/4 cup (145 grams) orzo
  • 2 tablespoons almond butter
  • the zest of 1 lemon
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice (or to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Vegetables: Roughly chop the carrots, celery, onion, and garlic. Pulse them in a food processor until finely minced. If you don’t have a food processor, finely chop them by hand as much as possible.
  2. Sauté the Vegetables: Heat the olive oil in a pot over medium-low heat. Add the minced vegetables and dried thyme. Gently fry, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are very soft and almost unrecognizable, about 15 minutes. This develops the flavor base of the soup.
  3. Cook the Soup Base: Add the drained chickpeas and vegetable stock to the pot. Increase the heat to bring the mixture to a boil. Stir in the orzo, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook until the orzo is al dente, usually about 2 minutes or according to package instructions.
  4. Prepare Almond Butter Mixture: In a separate bowl, place the almond butter and add a ladle of hot soup broth. Stir until the almond butter dissolves smoothly into the liquid.
  5. Finish the Soup: Once the orzo is cooked, remove the pot from heat. Stir in the almond butter mixture, lemon zest, salt, and lemon juice. Start with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and adjust to taste as lemon can quickly overpower the soup.

Notes

  • Finely mincing the vegetables ensures a smooth texture, blending their flavors into the soup.
  • Be gentle while sautéing to avoid browning; the goal is soft and sweet vegetables.
  • Use fresh lemon zest for a bright, natural citrus aroma.
  • Adjust lemon juice gradually to balance acidity without overpowering.
  • Almond butter adds creaminess without dairy, making the soup healthier and vegan-friendly.

Keywords: lemon chickpea soup, orzo soup, vegan soup, Mediterranean soup, almond butter soup, vegetarian, healthy lunch

Find it online: https://epicrecipebox.com/lemon-chickpea-orzo-soup-recipe/