Panera Bread Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

Panera Bread Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
A healthy and fresh soup bursting with bright lemony flavors and tender orzo pasta!


In a large pot add:
1 T. butter
1 large onion diced
2 medium carrots cut into rounds or dice
2 stalks of celery cut into half moons
3 garlic cloves minced
Cover pan and allow to "sweat" - DO NOT caramelize. (About 15 minutes over medium heat.)

Add:
8 c. chicken broth
juice and zest of 1.5 lemons

Bring to simmer and add:
1 handful chopped Italian parsley
1/4 cup orzo pasta or any other small pasta like ditalini or stars
1 large chicken breast (cooked) shredded or diced into bit size pieces
Better Than Bouillon (add 1 - 2 T.) carefully - can be quite strong after it boils - start slow

Once the orzo has cooked, turn off heat and add:
1 cup baby spinach leaves

Stir well. Adjust seasonings with lemon, salt and pepper.