Chicken & Orzo Pasta Soup

Your family will love this Chicken Orzo Soup because it’s so simple to make and delicious. I make this soup every time my family has a cold or feeling under the weather. I always have the basic staples for chicken soup on hand so I can make it anytime. My kids loved this soup when they were in school and love it now too. Double the recipe and enjoy this soup all week. Sometimes I add a few red pepper flakes for a spicy kick. It will clear up your sinuses. Trust me.

Ingredients:

6 to 8 cups water (or half chicken broth and half water)

1 chicken leg quarter or breast

1 cup orzo pasta or (any small pasta)

1/2 small onion (diced)

1 garlic clove (diced)

1 or 2 large carrots (sliced)

1 or 2 stalks celery (diced)

2 chicken boullion cubes

2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

parsley and red pepper flakes for garnish

Preparation:

Bring water or broth to a boil in a large pan. Add the chicken, onion, garlic, celery, salt, and bouillon cubes. Let come back to a boil, cover and let cook for 45 minutes on medium heat.

After the 45 minutes remover the chicken from pan. When cool,  remove the meat from the bone and chop into small pieces.

Add the chicken back into the soup along with the orzo pasta, and black pepper. Cook on medium uncovered for about 10 minutes or until paste is aldente.

If you want a thinner soup, add more water and let it come to a boil. Taste and add seasonings to your taste.

Serve with parsley flakes and red pepper for spicy kick if desired.