Butternut Squash Soup with Chicken and Orzo

by Barbara on April 8, 2011

Butternut Squash Soup with Chicken and Orzo
My sweet friend Bonnie, City Home/Country Home, posted this Butternut Squash Soup recipe last fall, but I didn’t get around to making it until recently. I was at the Indoor Farmers Market and the farmer talked me into buying butternut squash for the first time. Since I’d been wanting to try this soup, it wasn’t a tough sale.

I was a bit concerned about how my kids would like the soup, but I didn’t need to worry, the whole family loved it. The black pepper and red pepper flakes give it a little bit of heat and the squash just gives it great body and beautiful color.

Their one complaint about the soup was that it didn’t have anything in it. Since it’s pureed smooth, they didn’t think it was filling enough for dinner. My youngest suggested adding orzo, which I thought was a brillant idea.

So I decided to make it again and this time I added orzo and diced chicken. Now it was hearty, but still smooth, creamy and delicious. My oldest son said it reminded him of a chowder.

I made my soup in my pressure cooker. It didn’t save tons of time, but it’s so nice not to have to stir it or worry about it while it’s on the stove. I based my cooking time on the Cuisinart tomato soup recipe which uses a natural release. One day I’ll try a quick release which would really speed up the process.

This is a great soup recipe. I hope you’ll give it a try. Visit Bonnie for the stove top cooking directions and to check out all her other fabulous recipes. Thanks for sharing this one Bonnie!

Butternut Squash Soup with Chicken and Orzo
adapted from City Home/Country Home

1 1/2 lbs. of fresh baked butternut squash (peeled, and cubed)
3 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup green onions, diced
1/2 cup celery, diced
1/2 cup carrots, diced
1 garlic clove, minced
2 14.5 oz. cans chicken broth
1 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes with juice
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/8 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 cup orzo, cooked
1 cup chicken, cooked and diced (I used rotisserie chicken)
1 to 1/2 cup half and half
Green onion tops, sliced very thin (save for garnish)

Melt butter in pressure cooker pot. Sauté onions, celery, and carrots. Add garlic, stir briefly and add chicken stock, tomatoes and squash. Season with red pepper flakes, pepper and nutmeg.

Select high pressure and 10  minutes cook time. (It took the pressure cooker 10 minutes to come up to pressure and 30 minutes for a natural pressure release after the cook time, for a total prep time of 50 minutes. The second time I made it I was impatient and used a quick pressure release 10 minutes after the cook time ended.)

Puree until mixture is very smooth. (I used my immersion blender and pureed it in the pressure cooker pot.)

Select Simmer and add chicken, orzo, and half and half and heat until chicken is heated.

Serve garnished with thinly sliced green tops of onions and a swirl of half and half.

Makes 2 1/2 quarts.

Print Recipe

{ 31 comments… read them below or add one }

Rosa April 8, 2011 at 5:50 am

A lipsmackingly good soup!

Cheers,

Rosa

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Alison @ Ingredients, Inc April 8, 2011 at 7:36 am

looks fantastic! Bookmarking this one for sure

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Nicole@HeatOvenTo350 April 8, 2011 at 7:54 am

I love butternut squash soup, but I’ve never thought to put orzo and chicken in it. What a great idea.

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Maria April 8, 2011 at 7:58 am

Great soup for a day like today!

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marla {family fresh cooking} April 8, 2011 at 8:33 am

Love this idea for a pureed soup – I too add protein & other goodies in to make mine a full meal :) xo

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Kalynskitchen April 8, 2011 at 8:44 am

It really sounds like a great soup. I’m not that much of a fan of completely smooth soups, so I like your version with chicken and orzo.
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Rocky Mountain Woman April 8, 2011 at 8:49 am

That looks wonderful! Great idea for this snowy weekend I have ahead..

I love love love my pressure cooker…

xxoo,

RMW

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Anne April 8, 2011 at 9:14 am

A feast for the eyes… love your photo (and the beautiful soup bowl!). Perfect for today’s sloshy weather…
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Judy April 8, 2011 at 9:23 am

Barbara, thanks for this. I’m going to give it a try.
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sweetlife April 8, 2011 at 10:51 am

butternut, orzo and chicken a great soup, love the color and your pic is perfect!!

sweetlife

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Katrina April 8, 2011 at 11:39 am

After what is going on outside today, soup sounds great. And I love butternut squash and have on in my pantry!
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Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella April 8, 2011 at 6:03 pm

Aww mum you made this just for me? Cos I love orzo in soup (and just on my plate!). I feel like you are reading my mind because it’s getting colder here and I’m craving soup :D xxx
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Sue April 8, 2011 at 9:48 pm

I have wanted to make this since I saw it on Bonnie’s blog, and now I really want to make it! Thanks for the reminder:)

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Bonnie April 8, 2011 at 10:55 pm

Thanks for the mention Barbara. I’ll have to try your version. And I really like the idea of making in the pressure cooker (since you inspired me to buy one).
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Barbara April 9, 2011 at 4:20 am

You are finding so many ways to use your pressure cooker, Barbara! I make a great butternut squash soup, but it doesn’t have the heat this one does with the red pepper flakes. The Italian seasoning is interesting too. Going to try this next time I make it.
(love that happy summery soup bowl!)
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Renee (kudos kitchen) April 9, 2011 at 6:23 am

This looks and sounds amazing! I’m a huge butternut squash fan and the addition of the orzo is brilliant! Bravo to your son for coming up with that idea. Thanks for sharing this recipe Barbara. It’s a keeper for sure!!!

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teresa April 9, 2011 at 4:23 pm

to healthy and hearty! i love this, especially the addition of chicken and orzo. lovely!
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gloria April 10, 2011 at 10:11 am

Barbara I love your soup. look delicious! gloria

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Reeni April 10, 2011 at 7:49 pm

We are butternut lovers over here! We usually eat it pureed too and would love your delicious and hearty version!
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Angela April 10, 2011 at 8:29 pm

Butternut is probably my favorite squash. It is so easy to work with and has such a rich, fresh taste.
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Anna Johnston April 11, 2011 at 4:59 am

Mmmm, I love this Barbara, love the plates too ;)
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Blond Duck April 11, 2011 at 5:19 am

A perfect soup for spring!
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Beth April 11, 2011 at 5:26 am

Your soup looks wonderful, and I think the additions were a great idea.
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Cakelaw April 11, 2011 at 6:12 am

What a truly devine looking soup – and I adore your seaside bowl.
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Nic April 11, 2011 at 9:47 am

Oooh, that looks so good. I like everything it bar the celery, lol. Lovely plate you served it in too.

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Juliana April 11, 2011 at 12:24 pm

Barbara, this butternut squash soup looks very hearty with orzo pasta and chicken…fabulous meal. Have a great week ahead :-)

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Cate April 14, 2011 at 1:46 am

Got to try this now that the weather is cooling down here!! My goal for the winter is to get my kids to eat soup (even if it kills me!!!)
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Megan April 14, 2011 at 5:53 pm

I bet this was fantastic. I love butternut squash anything!

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Becky at VintageMixer April 18, 2011 at 4:03 pm

This sounds scrumptious! It’s on my list to try this week!! Miss you.
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claudia lamascolo May 10, 2011 at 4:44 am

I love everything in this soup have never tried it, you just gave me a great reason! Oh and I love the dish its served in too… I have plates like that no bowl, now I want to go find them too! Love them!
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Aron January 14, 2012 at 4:44 am

Hi Barbara, that is a beautiful looking soup and so good for you as well. I will definately give this a try this weekend. Thanks for sharing the recipe.

Cheers,
Aron
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