PrintOne-Pot Creamy Lemon Chicken Orzo
You need this easy, one-pot creamy lemon chicken orzo for a satisfying weeknight dinner. This recipe combines tender chicken, bright lemon flavor, and a rich, comforting sauce, all made in a single skillet for simple cleanup.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 25 min
- Total Time: 35 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces, salt, and pepper. Cook until the chicken is browned on all sides and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- Reduce the heat to medium. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add the orzo pasta to the skillet and toast it for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Pour in the chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and cook for about 10 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Cook for 2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir to combine everything. Heat through for 1 minute.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken sausage for chicken breasts for a different flavor profile.
- For a brighter flavor, add an extra teaspoon of lemon zest right before serving.
- This dish is excellent served with a side of roasted asparagus or a simple green salad.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 750
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 11
- Unsaturated Fat: 11
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 50
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 40
- Cholesterol: 110