When winter is getting you down and that sore throat is on the verge of turning into a cold get #NYTough and whip up a big bowl of Lemon Chicken Meatball, Kale and Orzo Soup. It might not be your mom’s chicken noodle but I promise this flavorful and filling soup will be just what the doctor ordered.
This is a sponsored post on behalf of P&G. As always all opinions are my own and thank you for supporting brands that I work with.
Raise your hand if you are officially over winter.
As I expected that’s a lot of you. I was absolutely positive we would get some sort of break after last winters polar vortex nonsense but sadly winter seems to keep on wintering on. All we have is one snowstorm after deep freeze after slight thaw after more freeze and then more snow after next. Plus let’s not even talk about our poor friends up in New England, I can’t imagine having to deal with that much snow.
I mean the negative degree wind tunnels whipping through Times Square are barely enough for me to handle.
But I’m #NYTough, I should be able to handle it right?
Ha! Yeah, not really, I’m the biggest cold weather wimp you’ve ever met, anything below 20 degrees equals double layers. Then there is the dreaded winter cold, one tiny sniffle or whisper of a sore throat and I’m in panic mode.
I’ve actually been in that dreaded pre-cold stage all week long and I’m sitting on the edge of my seat waiting if it’ll pass or if it’ll kick me into bed for the weekend.
No one likes being sick, the runny noses, the coughs, the inability to sleep but there are a few products that I can always count on when I’m suffering with a nose like Rudolph’s. The first is my beloved Puff’s, those tissues are magical and I’m rarely seen without a box.
Now that my nose is happy I need to be fed and don’t think for one second I’m going out there. Like I said I’m not so #NYTough in the winter, luckily there’s Peapod to deliver everything I need (including my Puffs and some Vicks Cold & Flu medicine) right to my door.
So just for a moment, shut off the Netflix and log on to Peapod to order up all the ingredients for this soup. Mom isn’t around to take care of you and the canned stuff just won’t do the trick. You’ve got superfood kale in here, lemon for vitamin c and we all know that chicken soup is Jewish penicillin.
Ingredients
- 1lb ground chicken
- 2 medium garlic cloves, finely minced
- zest from 1 lemon
- juice from 1/2 lemon
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup grated parmigiano reggiano cheese
- 1/3 cup plain bread crumbs
- 1 large egg
- 4 cups chicken stock or broth
- 1/2 cup uncooked orzo
- 4 stems green kale, tough inner stalk removed and chopped
- parmigiano reggiano rind*
- juice from 1/2 lemon
- kosher salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a medium bowl combine the ground chicken, garlic, lemon zest, juice, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, parmigiano reggiano cheese, bread crumbs and egg until well combined.
- Pour a tablespoon of avocado or grapeseed oil in a large skillet over medium heat and scoop out a ping pong ball sized amount of meat from the mixture and roll into a ball.
- Add the meatballs to the pan, careful not to crowd and cook 4-5 minutes or until it's nice and brown and flip to cook for another 4 minutes. Remove from the skillet and cook the remaining meatballs.
- Bring a medium sized pot of salted water to boil while the meatballs are cooking and cook the orzo according to the packages directions.
- When the meatballs are done cooking add them to a stock pot filled with the chicken stock, parmigiano reggiano rind and kale.
- Bring to a simmer, taste and season with salt and pepper.
- You want to simmer the soup for about 10-15 minutes or until the kale is wilted and tender. In the last 10 minutes of cooking add the lemon juice. Add in the orzo in the last few minutes to reheat before serving.
- Makes about 4 hearty servings of soup.
Notes
When using parmigiano reggiano cheese you should save and freeze the rinds for uses in soups and sauces to enhance the flavor. If you don't have any saved just trim off some of the rind from the piece you are using for the meatballs and add it to the soup.
Since we are not getting a break from this weather anytime soon, why don’t we give some stuff away?
How do daily twitter giveaways of a prize pack featuring Puffs, an AMEX gift card and Vicks Cold & Flu Medicine coupons sound starting today through March 31st? You can read about how to enter right here.
An even better bonus is the giveaway I have for you right here! One lucky winner will win a $55 value prize pack which includes a $50 AMEX gift card, Two (2) boxes of Puffs Tissues and $1 off coupons for Vicks cold & flu products (due to age restrictions we cannot mail this product).
Entering is easy, just fill out the rafflecopter below!
This giveaway is open from Friday, February 20th through Tuesday, March 31, 2015, U.S. Residents only aged 18+. Please note that only one prize pack is allowed per household (this includes the blog + twitter giveaway). The winner will be picked at random and notified via email, they have 48 hours to respond, if they do not their prize is forfeited and a new winner will be picked.
Make sure that we have lots of fluids, rest and tissues.
These frigid temps are awful. I’m trying to stay away from crowds and washing hands often.
I’m trying to drink lots of fluids and eat healthy. I’m so over this winter.
I’ve turned into as much of a hermit as I can get away with. It’s waaay too cold! I did survive the flu, so there’s that!
My family is in the midst of the flu right now and we are trying to survive with lots of Nyquil puffs and ginger ale!
We are staying inside and making a lot of homemade chills and soups!
I bundle up and take daily vitamins.
Lots of hot tea.
It is freezing here in KY! We are having lots of soups and chilis and making sure everyone washes their hands and takes their vitamins!
I am surviving the winter by bundling up, keeping products on hand like hand sanitizer, cough medicine, cough drops, and tea in the house.
Taking vitamins and handwashing often.
I drink hot tea with ginger and lemon, bundle up when I have to brave out to the cold. It is freezing here.
So far so good and I haven’t (knock on wood) caught anything yet, I made up a batch of flu potion with horsradish, ginger, peppers, tumeric, onion, garlic and vinegar and have been taking a shot every day….however everyone else in my neighborhood and friends are coming down with the flu.
I am glad I really don’t have to be sick to enjoy this marvelous soup. It really is above and beyond as far as a chicken soup.
Lots of OJ and handwashing
I’m surviving by wearing my Cuddle Duds
I wear lots of layers to stay warm.
it is not bitter cold this year like it usually is and we all have managed to stay healthy with only one cold so far. we drink a lot of green tea, chicken stock when sick.
We’re washing hands a lot, and drinking lots of fluids.
take vitamins, wash my hands, and stay hydrated
We are eating well, staying away from crowds and washing our hands frequently.
Ive been using a lot of hand sanitizer and Lysol.
I use hand sanitizer, Vick’s rub and my vitamins! Also use a humidifier in the bedroom to help my breathing at night!
I’m surviving the winter by taking vitamins, drinking lots of water, and bundling up in warm layers.
Thanks for the chance to win this
Taking daily vitamins including vitamin C, getting 7 hours of sleep a night and drinking plenty of fluids.
I’m taking extra vitamin C, drinking lots of hot tea and minimizing my shopping trips out in the cold!
Fluids, lots of hand washing and a flu shot.
I like eating hot soups and stews, drinking tea and hot chocolate and snuggle with my family
Oh man, ummm you better believe we are dealing with a similar sitch here in Chicago. I don’t think you are a wimp, this year suuuuucks weather wise. I am saving this for a sick cold day. Love that lemon!
Just promise me it’ll be warm in Chicago when I’m there in June. Please? Otherwise I’m stealing Weezer for warmth.
I am taking my vitamins every day and trying to eat lots of fruits and veggies.
I take vitamins and wash hands often
This recipe looks so comforting! My husband is feeling under the weather and I might be falling right behind him. I’ve got this soup on the stove right now! Smells wonderful and I can’t wait to eat it!
Now that I’ve tasted this soup, I have to say that this soup is helping me survive the winter š It really is delicious and I plan to make it again very soon. It’s pretty easy to make and tastes like a soup that has been simmering all day.
Thanks for coming back and letting me know what you think Dee! I hope your husband is feeling better and fingers crossed that Spring comes sooner than later!
fortunately i live in Texas so we don’t have to deal with #NYTough weather but in Texas when it gets like 39 degrees, we are freezing cold! LOL Vicks & Puffs tissue always helps with cold and flu season no matter where you live!
Lots of vit c
I stay healthy during cold and flu season by washing my hands all the time, eating fruits and veges, drinking lots of water and taking my vitamins!
We wash our hands a lot and take Vitamin C everyday
Lots of layers and hot cocoa
It’s not really winter here in SC, But I am drinking plenty of liquids, washing my hands often and taking vitamins.
I drink lots of juice and get lots of sleep.
Beautiful, healthy, comforting, balanced, tasty. Iām in. Thank you and have a pleasant day !