Creamy Chicken Florentine Soup Recipe with Orzo

This chicken florentine soup recipe is perfect if you're craving a cozy meal that's both creamy and packed with flavor. It's a homemade soup that's loaded with tender chicken, fresh baby spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, in a creamy broth that tastes like it came straight out of your favorite local italian restaurant—but better!

Why You'll Love It

Creamy and rich chicken florentine soup is pure comfort in a bowl! And y'all, I'm not gonna lie - this easy Italian inspired chicken soup recipe is the perfect cold weather dinner!

It's made with simple ingredients and like most of my recipes, it can be adapted in lots of ways.

It starts with a base of olive oil, veggies, chicken stock, and a parmigiano rind for extra umami goodness. 

Then, we add shredded chicken, orzo, and a mix of even more fresh veggies for a well-rounded bite. 

A splash of lemon juice at the end brings out all the flavors, making it a great choice for both a chilly day or cold nights during those winter months when you're craving something indulgent.

So whether you're serving it with crusty bread or enjoying it as a main course with a glass of white wine, this is an easy weeknight meal that’ll quickly become a great dinner favorite!

Ingredients & Substitutions

All you need is a few basic ingredients to make this delicious chicken florentine soup recipe. I have also listed the optional ingredients below if you want to add more things!

• Olive Oil: Enhances the base of this flavorful broth and helps soften the veggies. You could also use salty butter if you wish. 
• Sweet Onion: Adds a mild sweetness and depth. You could also swap it for a yellow onion, white onion or a red onion if that's what you have. 
• Red Pepper Flakes: A touch of heat to balance the creaminess. But don't worry, it won't be too spicy - it just adds depth more than heat. 
• Garlic Cloves: Essential for an aromatic base. Please don't use the jarred minced garlic if you don't have to. 
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Adds a pop of tangy sweetness. Don't forget to drizzle in some of the reserved oil that's usually seasoned with italian seasoning for extra flavor!
• Chicken Stock: Use low sodium chicken broth or even chicken bone broth for a richer taste. If you're vegetarian, you could also use vegetable broth and it will work just fine!
• Parmigiano Rind: Parmigiano rinds are not only my ultimate hack for creating the most creamy soups - but it's also a great way to repurpose something that might be tossed in the trash. And although it's an optional ingredient, it brings a deep, cheesy umami kick while also making the broth more tasty and creamy.
• Orzo: Soaks up the broth while adding a nice chew. Feel free to swap it for leftover rice or another pasta shape like ditalini. 
• Cooked Chicken: Leftover chicken, shredded chicken, or rotisserie chicken all work! You could also use leftover grilled skinless chicken breasts if you had some lying around.  If you're vegetarian, leave out the chicken and use butternut squash or cubed potatoes for a delicious potato florentine soup. 
• Fresh Baby Spinach: Fresh spinach wilts beautifully into the broth for a pop of freshness. Frozen spinach or kale would be another option. 
• Heavy Cream: For the ultimate creamy broth, be sure to use heavy cream. You could also use whole milk or even do half cream and half milk... but you might want to add a knob of cream cheese to keep it thick and creamy. You could also swap for coconut cream if you're dairy-free in this tasty cream sauce. 
• Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice also brightens everything up! If you don't have any lemon, just leave it out or add a splash of white balsamic vinegar to mimic the acidity. 
• Parmesan Cheese: The best part—adds an extra punch of flavor. Pecorino or another hard aged italian cheese would also work. 
• Black Pepper & Kosher Salt: Enhances all the delicious flavors.
• Optional Additions: Feel free to add even more yummy veggies like sliced leeks, porcini mushrooms or even thinly sliced bell pepper. Fresh basil is another ingredient that would bo great with this quick soup recipe. 

How to Make It

Here are all the detailed instructions on how to make this delicious hearty soup. As always, if you have any questions, send me a dm on instagram!

CHOOSE YOUR POT: I recommend using a large soup pot to make this recipe. If you don't have a traditional large pot on hand, try using a dutch oven.

SAUTÉ VEGGIES: Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add onion, red pepper flakes, and a pinch of salt. Cook for 5-7 minutes until softened.

ADD GARLIC & TOMATOES: Stir in garlic and sun-dried tomatoes with a drizzle of the reserved oil. Cook for 2 more minutes until fragrant.

BUILD THE BROTH: Pour in chicken stock and add the parmigiano rinds. Stir in orzo and the chunks of chicken, then bring to a boil over medium-high heat.

SIMMER TO PERFECTION: Reduce the heat and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is cooked through.

MAKE IT CREAMY: Add fresh baby spinach, heavy cream, and lemon juice. Stir and cook for 1-3 more minutes until the spinach is wilted and the soup is silky smooth.

SERVE & ENJOY: Season to taste with a little salt, black pepper and parmesan cheese. Serve hot with crusty bread for dipping!

SAVE: You can place any leftovers from this chicken Florentine soup in an airtight container and keep it for 3-4 days. 

What to pair with Chicken Florentine Soup

Here are a few of my favorite dishes to serve with this delicious homemade chicken soup recipe.

• Zuppa Toscana Inspired Orzo
• Easy Cheesy Meatball Sliders Recipe (on Hawaiian Rolls)
• Beet Hummus + Turkey Sandwich
• A Classic Deli-Style Turkey Sub
• Quick & Easy Tortilla Pizza (Ready in 10 Minutes!)

Recipe

Creamy Chicken Florentine Soup with Orzo

Chicken Florentine Soup is one of my favorite easy, creamy soups to make each Fall. It’s loaded with spinach, sun dried tomatoes, orzo, lemon, and garlic in a creamy parmesan broth. You’ll love how quickly it comes together and how flavorful it is!

4.69 from 73 votes

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Course Soup

Cuisine American, Italian

Servings 4 people

Equipment

• Large Pot
• Cutting Board
• Chef's Knife

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 2 tablespoon Olive OIl
• 1 medium Sweet Onion diced
• 1 pinch Red Pepper Flakes
• 5 cloves Garlic thinly sliced
• ¼ cup Sun Dried Tomatoes in Oil roughly chopped (with a little of the reserved oil)
• 6 cups Chicken Broth
• 1 Parmigiano Rind (optional but SO GOOD!)
• 1 cup Uncooked Orzo
• 2 cups Rotisserie Chicken chopped or shredded
• 5 oz Fresh Baby Spinach
• ½ cup Heavy Cream whole milk or half n half could sub if necessary
• 1 medium Lemon juiced

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Instructions

 

• In a large soup pot over medium heat, add olive oil, onion, red pepper flakes and a pinch of salt. Cook for for 5-7 minutes or until the onion is soft beginning to get some color.
• Next add the garlic and the sun dried tomatoes (and a little bit of the reserved oil that the tomatoes are in in case it seems dry) and cook for 2 more minutes or until the garlic is soft and fragrant.
• Add in the chicken stock, the parmigiano rind, the orzo and the chicken and bring to a boil. Turn the heat down to medium and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring every so often, or until the orzo is cooked through.
• Add the spinach, heavy cream, and the juice from one lemon and stir. Cook for 1-3 more minutes until the spinach is wilted and the soup is creamy.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste then serve.

Video

Keyword chicken, fall, orzo, soup, spinach, stew

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