Description
This Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Orzo is an ultimate weeknight win! It’s a satisfying one-pot dish that combines tender chicken, al dente orzo, and a rich, bright lemon garlic sauce. Perfect for a quick and flavorful dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season chicken pieces generously with salt and pepper. Add chicken to the pot and cook until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from the pot and set aside.
- Add chopped onion to the pot and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the orzo pasta, then pour in the chicken broth. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 10-12 minutes, or until the orzo is almost tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Return the cooked chicken to the pot. Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Mix well.
- Add the fresh spinach and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic.
- If you prefer chicken breast, cut it into similar-sized pieces and adjust cooking time as needed. Be careful not to overcook as chicken breast can dry out easily.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of chicken broth or water if it seems too thick.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: One Pot
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 140mg
