2
Ultimate Comfort Food: Chicken Riggies & Orzo Soup Recipe – A Flavorful Delight to Warm Your Soul
Table of Contents
Summary:
If you’re craving a heartwarming, flavorful meal that combines creamy, savory, and tangy elements, the Chicken Riggies & Orzo Soup Recipe is a must-try! This comforting dish seamlessly blends the rich flavors of tender chicken, zesty tomato sauce, and a hearty orzo-based soup, making it the perfect go-to for chilly nights or a cozy family dinner. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or just a beginner, this recipe is easy to follow and guarantees a mouthwatering meal that’s both satisfying and fulfilling. Let’s dive into the details of this comforting and delicious dish that will leave everyone coming back for seconds!
5
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 30 Minutes
Total Time: 45 Minutes
Servings: 4-6
Calories: 350-400 per serving (approx.)
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American, Italian
Equipment:
- Large pot or Dutch oven
- Cutting board and knife
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Large skillet
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Soup ladle
- Strainer or colander
Ingredients: for Chicken Riggies & Orzo Soup Recipe
For Chicken Riggies:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb chicken breast, boneless and skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, adjust to heat preference)
- 1 tbsp dried basil
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 lb rigatoni pasta (or any pasta of your choice)
For Orzo Soup:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup diced celery
- 1/2 cup diced carrots
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup orzo pasta
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
3
Instructions: for Chicken Riggies & Orzo Soup Recipe
Step 1: Preparing the Chicken Riggies
- Sauté the Chicken: In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces, season with a pinch of salt and pepper, and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Toss in the chopped red and green bell peppers, and onion, and sauté for 3-4 minutes, until softened.
- Add Garlic & Spices: Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for another 30 seconds. Stir in the red pepper flakes, dried basil, and oregano. Allow the spices to toast slightly, releasing their fragrance.
- Make the Sauce: Pour in the crushed tomatoes and stir to combine. Let the sauce simmer on low heat for 5 minutes. Add in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and season with salt and black pepper. Stir until the sauce becomes creamy and well blended.
- Combine the Chicken & Pasta: Add the cooked chicken back into the skillet with the sauce and mix well. At this point, if you have already cooked the pasta, toss it into the skillet and combine everything thoroughly. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes to heat the pasta through and allow the flavors to meld.
- Final Touches: Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Add extra cheese or red pepper flakes for more heat, if desired.
Step 2: Making the Orzo Soup
- Sauté the Aromatics: In a large pot, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced celery, carrots, and onion. Cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften.
- Add Garlic & Tomatoes: Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Then add the diced tomatoes (with juices) and stir to combine.
- Add Broth & Seasoning: Pour in the chicken broth and season the soup with thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir and bring to a gentle boil.
- Cook the Orzo: Once the soup is boiling, add the orzo pasta and reduce the heat to medium-low. Let the soup simmer for 8-10 minutes, or until the orzo is tender but still al dente.
- Final Touches: Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes:
- Make it Spicy: If you like heat, feel free to add extra red pepper flakes to the Chicken Riggies or a dash of hot sauce in the Orzo Soup for an added kick.
- Protein Variation: You can use boneless, skinless thighs instead of chicken breasts for a more juicy and flavorful variation. Alternatively, swap the chicken for turkey or even shrimp!
- Creamy Texture: For a richer flavor, consider adding a touch of cream cheese or mascarpone to the Chicken Riggies sauce. This will create a more indulgent, velvety finish.
- Vegetarian Twist: To make the recipe vegetarian, skip the chicken and use plant-based protein like tofu or tempeh. You could also increase the amount of vegetables in both dishes for more texture and flavor.
- Pasta Choices: While rigatoni is the classic choice for Chicken Riggies, any hearty pasta such as penne, ziti, or fusilli will work well. In the Orzo Soup, you can use small pasta shells or farfalle if you prefer.
Conclusion:
This Chicken Riggies & Orzo Soup Recipe is more than just a meal; it’s a celebration of rich flavors, textures, and comfort. The creamy, flavorful sauce of the Chicken Riggies pairs perfectly with the light, hearty orzo soup, offering a balance of indulgence and freshness. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or treating yourself to a cozy night in, this recipe is sure to impress with its ease and deliciousness.
If you’re craving more comforting dishes that are easy to prepare and bursting with flavor, don’t miss out on our other recipes that will keep you coming back for more. For more amazing, comforting, and easy-to-follow meals, be sure to check out our full recipe collection, including classic Italian dishes, savory soups, and mouthwatering pastas!
If you loved this recipe, be sure to visit [Soul-Warming Italian Soups] for more delicious and comforting meals that will satisfy your cravings!
Ultimate Comfort Food: Chicken Riggies & Orzo Soup Recipe – A Flavorful Delight to Warm Your Soul
If you’re craving a heartwarming, flavorful meal that combines creamy, savory, and tangy elements, the Chicken Riggies & Orzo Soup Recipe is a must-try! This comforting dish seamlessly blends the rich flavors of tender chicken, zesty tomato sauce, and a hearty orzo-based soup, making it the perfect go-to for chilly nights or a cozy family dinner. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or just a beginner, this recipe is easy to follow and guarantees a mouthwatering meal that’s both satisfying and fulfilling. Let’s dive into the details of this comforting and delicious dish that will leave everyone coming back for seconds!
Equipment
- Large pot or Dutch oven
- Cutting board and knife
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Large skillet
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Soup ladle
- Strainer or colander
Ingredients
- For Chicken Riggies:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb chicken breast boneless and skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 red bell pepper chopped
- 1 green bell pepper chopped
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 can 14 oz crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes optional, adjust to heat preference
- 1 tbsp dried basil
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 lb rigatoni pasta or any pasta of your choice
- For Orzo Soup:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup diced celery
- 1/2 cup diced carrots
- 1 medium onion diced
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 can 15 oz diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup orzo pasta
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preparing the Chicken Riggies
- Sauté the Chicken: In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces, season with a pinch of salt and pepper, and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Toss in the chopped red and green bell peppers, and onion, and sauté for 3-4 minutes, until softened.
- Add Garlic & Spices: Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for another 30 seconds. Stir in the red pepper flakes, dried basil, and oregano. Allow the spices to toast slightly, releasing their fragrance.
- Make the Sauce: Pour in the crushed tomatoes and stir to combine. Let the sauce simmer on low heat for 5 minutes. Add in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and season with salt and black pepper. Stir until the sauce becomes creamy and well blended.
- Combine the Chicken & Pasta: Add the cooked chicken back into the skillet with the sauce and mix well. At this point, if you have already cooked the pasta, toss it into the skillet and combine everything thoroughly. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes to heat the pasta through and allow the flavors to meld.
- Final Touches: Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Add extra cheese or red pepper flakes for more heat, if desired.
- Step 2: Making the Orzo Soup
- Sauté the Aromatics: In a large pot, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced celery, carrots, and onion. Cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften.
- Add Garlic & Tomatoes: Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Then add the diced tomatoes (with juices) and stir to combine.
- Add Broth & Seasoning: Pour in the chicken broth and season the soup with thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir and bring to a gentle boil.
- Cook the Orzo: Once the soup is boiling, add the orzo pasta and reduce the heat to medium-low. Let the soup simmer for 8-10 minutes, or until the orzo is tender but still al dente.
- Final Touches: Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
Make it Spicy: If you like heat, feel free to add extra red pepper flakes to the Chicken Riggies or a dash of hot sauce in the Orzo Soup for an added kick.
Protein Variation: You can use boneless, skinless thighs instead of chicken breasts for a more juicy and flavorful variation. Alternatively, swap the chicken for turkey or even shrimp!
Creamy Texture: For a richer flavor, consider adding a touch of cream cheese or mascarpone to the Chicken Riggies sauce. This will create a more indulgent, velvety finish.
Vegetarian Twist: To make the recipe vegetarian, skip the chicken and use plant-based protein like tofu or tempeh. You could also increase the amount of vegetables in both dishes for more texture and flavor.
Pasta Choices: While rigatoni is the classic choice for Chicken Riggies, any hearty pasta such as penne, ziti, or fusilli will work well. In the Orzo Soup, you can use small pasta shells or farfalle if you prefer.
4
