This creamy, cheesy Lemon Chicken Orzo is a family favorite! Packed with flavor and a hint of citrus, it's the perfect meal for busy weeknights and ready in under 30 minutes!
An easy dinner with minimal cleanup? Yes, please! This one-pan lemon chicken orzo is a perfect alternative when you’re tired of the usual chicken and rice dishes.
Though orzo resembles rice, it’s actually a pasta with a unique texture, making it a great way to switch up your meals.
I love serving it with a side salad, but green beans also pair perfectly.
If you enjoy cooking with orzo, try it in our Garlic Butter Shrimp with Asparagus or Garlic Parmesan Chicken!
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Lemon Chicken Orzo Ingredients
- Chicken: Boneless skinless chicken breast work best in this recipe. I left them whole but you can also cut into chunks.
- Seasonings: Salt, peppers, Italian seasoning and garlic powder.
- Orzo: Found in the dry pasta aisle of the grocery store.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic or from a jar.
- Chicken broth: Adds more flavor to the dish.
- Parmesan cheese: Can you shredded or freshly grated.
- Lemon juice: To add citrus flavor.
- Butter: Unsalted and used to sautéd vegetables.
- Vegetables: Bell pepper, onion and spinach.
- You will also need: Vegetable oil and heavy cream.
How to Make Lemon Chicken Orzo
In a large bowl, add the chicken breast and season with salt, pepper, 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, garlic powder, 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil, and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Mix well until the chicken is evenly coated.
Heat the remaining vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken and sear for 6-7 minutes on each side until browned and fully cooked. Remove from the pan and set aside.
In the same skillet, add butter, red bell pepper, onion, garlic, and Italian seasoning. Sauté for 1-2 minutes, then stir in the orzo and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
Pour in the chicken broth, stir, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 12-14 minutes.
Once the orzo is cooked, add spinach, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese, stirring to combine. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the dish and stir again.
Slice the cooked chicken and place it on top of the orzo. Garnish with parsley and lemon slices if desired. Serve and enjoy!
Recipe Variations
- Any colored bell peppers will work.
- Add red pepper flakes for heat!
- You can omit the parsley and lemon slices for garnish.
Storing Leftovers and Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. Reheat in microwave to desired temperature.
Recipe
Lemon Chicken Orzo
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breast cutlets
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning divided
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil divided
- 1 tbsp of lemon juice
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 1 tbsp of minced garlic
- 1 cup of orzo pasta
- 1 10 oz can of chicken broth
- ¾ cup of heavy cream
- 1 ½ cups of spinach
- ½ cup of freshly shredded Parmesan cheese
- The juice of one lemon
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add the chicken breast and season with salt, pepper, 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, garlic powder, 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil, and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Mix well until the chicken is evenly coated.
- Heat the remaining vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken and sear for 6-7 minutes on each side until browned and fully cooked. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add butter, red bell pepper, onion, garlic, and Italian seasoning. Sauté for 1-2 minutes, then stir in the orzo and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
- Pour in the chicken broth, stir, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 12-14 minutes.
- Once the orzo is cooked, add spinach, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese, stirring to combine. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the dish and stir again.
- Slice the cooked chicken and place it on top of the orzo. Garnish with parsley and lemon slices if desired. Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition Disclosure
Nutritional facts are estimates and are provided as a courtesy to the reader. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. Nutritional values are calculated via a third party. Changing ingredients, amounts or cooking technique will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.
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