Creamy Lemon Chicken Orzo
This one pan meal is a comforting weeknight favorite that brings bright lemon flavors to your dinner table.
recipesbynani.comThere is something so satisfying about a big bowl of creamy orzo. I love this recipe because it feels fancy enough for guests but is easy enough to throw together after a long work day.
The secret is to stir the pasta often so the starch makes a beautiful sauce without needing heavy cream. Just add a little extra parmesan if you want it even cheesier.
🧺 Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breast, cut into bite sized pieces
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
👩🍳Instructions
- 1
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.
- 2
Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then cook until it is golden brown and cooked through.
- 3
Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.
- 4
Add the dry orzo to the skillet and toast it for one minute, then stir in the garlic.
- 5
Pour in the chicken broth and bring everything to a simmer.
- 6
Cook the orzo for about eight to ten minutes until most of the liquid is absorbed and the pasta is tender.
- 7
Stir in the heavy cream, parmesan cheese, lemon juice, and lemon zest.
- 8
Add the chicken back into the pan and toss everything until it is warm and creamy.
- 9
Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
💡 Tips
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. If the pasta absorbs too much liquid while sitting, just add a tiny splash of water or broth when you reheat it on the stove.
Made this recipe? Let us know how it went.
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