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+ servings

Bright and Creamy Lemon Chicken Orzo

This bright and creamy lemon chicken orzo is a quick weeknight dinner packed with citrusy flavor and cheesy goodness.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 1
Course: Chicken, Dinner, Pasta, Quick Meals
Cuisine: American
Calories: 630

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 2 medium boneless skinless chicken breasts about 1.5 lbs total
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning divided
  • Kosher salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil for cooking
For the Orzo
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 small yellow onion diced
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup orzo pasta uncooked
  • 2 cups chicken broth low-sodium preferred
  • 2 cups baby spinach fresh
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese about 2 oz
  • 1 medium Meyer lemon zested and juiced, plus more lemon for garnish
For Garnish
  • lemon slices optional
  • 2 tbsp fresh Italian parsley chopped

Method
 

Cook the Chicken
  1. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season evenly with garlic powder, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, about 1/2 teaspoon salt per breast, and a few grinds of black pepper. Drizzle with olive oil and rub to coat.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden and cooked through, about 6 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and let rest 10 minutes before slicing.
Prepare the Orzo
  1. In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and remaining 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; cook 1 minute until fragrant.
  2. Add the orzo and stir to coat, cooking for 2 minutes. Pour in the chicken broth and season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Bring to a low boil, then reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cover and cook until orzo is tender, about 12 minutes.
  3. Uncover the skillet and stir in the baby spinach, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. Cook, stirring, until the spinach wilts and the sauce is creamy, about 1 minute.
  4. Remove from heat and stir in the lemon zest and lemon juice. Taste and adjust with more lemon or salt if desired.
Serve
  1. Slice the rested chicken into strips. Serve the creamy orzo in bowls, top with sliced chicken, and garnish with lemon slices and chopped parsley.

Nutrition

Calories: 630kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 38gFat: 35gSaturated Fat: 18gCholesterol: 145mgSodium: 780mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5g

Notes

For best texture, use freshly grated Parmesan; pre-shredded cheese may turn gritty. Do not overcook the orzo—it should be tender but not mushy. If using chicken thighs, adjust cooking time to about 8 minutes per side. To make ahead, prepare the orzo without the cream and Parmesan, then stir them in when reheating. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, add a splash of cream or broth to loosen the sauce.

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