OMG Creamy Chicken & Orzo Soup

With colder weather closing in (for all of my friends up north,) this soup is the perfect dinner to warm you up. I consider this a cross between a chowder, and a brothy soup... it's simply amazing.

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INGREDIENTS:

• 6 cups broth (I used turkey bone broth)

• 5 cups water

• 1 package of bone-in chicken thighs

• 2 tbsp. of avocado oil or olive oil

• 1 onion chopped fine

• 3 medium carrots (grate 2, chop other one into rings)

• 2 celery stalks chopped fine

• 2 cups orzo

• 2 cobs of cooked corn

• 4 tbsp. unsalted butter

• 1/3 cup all purpose flour

• 1/2 cup heavy cream

• 3 tbsp. fresh dill

• 1 tsp. mrs. dash

• 1 tsp. seasoning salt

• salt & pepper to taste

• 1/2 cup shredded Parmigiano-Reggiano

• Parmesan Crisps (optional topping)

• Crushed Crackers (optional topping)

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DIRECTIONS:

1. In a large soup pot, combine the 6 cups of broth, with the 5 cups of water and a pinch of salt.

2. Add bone in chicken thighs and bring to a boil (uncovered) for 20 mins.

3. While chicken is cooking, add avocado or olive oil to pan over medium heat and sauté about 5 mins, or until softened.

4. Increase heat to medium high and add grated carrots and chopped celery. Sauté for 7-8 min, until golden brown and soft.

5. Transfer to soup pot.

6. Remove chicken thighs from pot, and let cool until able to handle. Shred the chicken and discard any of the fat or bones. Return shredded chicken to pot.

7. Add 2 cups of orzo, along with sliced carrots, and cooked corn to the pot for another 15 minutes or so, on a low boil until pasta is desired softness.

8. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 4 tbsp. of butter and whisk in 1/3 c flour. Whisk constantly until slightly golden.

9. Ladle one cup of hot broth from the soup pot into the flour mixture and whisk constantly until blended.

10. Whisk in 1/2 cup of heavy cream and transfer entire mixture to soup pot.

11. Season soup with 1/2 tsp. of mrs. dash and 1/2 tsp. of seasoning salt.

12. Add 3 tbsp. of fresh dill, bring back to a boil and remove from heat.

13. Top with Shredded cheese, and other optional toppings.

14. ENJOY :)

This recipe was inspired by Natasha's Kitchen :)