Chicken noodle soup just got way more interesting. Inspired by Egyptian bird tongue soup, this warming spice-tinged chicken broth is as comforting as it is flavorful. The real star here is the orzo . Toasted in butter until it’s deeply golden and nutty-fragrant, the pasta takes on a new personality. Unlike plain noodles, which quickly go limp in hot soup, well-toasted orzo stays al dente for longer, holding its shape and texture until you’ve doled out every bowl.

Any store-bought chicken broth, stock, or bouillon paste offers an extra boost of flavor to the base that chicken thighs and water alone can’t compete with—for an even more robust option, go for chicken bone broth .

More nourishing soup recipes this way: Curried Yellow Squash Soup ; Broken Lasagna Noodle Soup With Spinach ; Spicy Cod and Potato Chowder .

Recipe information

Ingredients

1¼

lb. skinless, boneless chicken thighs (4–5)

1½

tsp. Diamond Crystal or ¾ tsp. Morton kosher salt, divided, plus more

3

Tbsp.…