Lemon Chicken Orzo
Lemon Chicken Orzo is a vibrant and refreshing one-pan meal that brings together tender chicken, zesty lemon, and creamy orzo pasta. This dish captures the essence of summer with its bright flavors and comforting textures, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions. Easy to prepare and sure to impress, each bite offers a taste of sunshine that will have your family or guests coming back for more.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6
- Category: Main
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients
Scale
- 3–4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 fresh lemons (zest and juice)
- 3 garlic cloves (minced)
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear chicken until golden brown (6-7 minutes per side). Remove from skillet and let rest.
- In the same skillet, sauté minced garlic for 1 minute until fragrant. Add chicken broth along with lemon juice and zest; bring to a simmer.
- Stir in orzo pasta and cook according to package instructions (9-11 minutes), stirring occasionally.
- When al dente, fold in spinach until wilted.
- Slice rested chicken into bite-sized pieces and return to skillet; mix gently to combine.
- Serve on plates topped with grated Parmesan cheese.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx. 350g)
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: - For added nutrition, use whole wheat orzo. - Feel free to customize with seasonal vegetables like cherry tomatoes or zucchini. - To reheat leftovers, add a splash of broth or water to maintain moisture.