Description
This Easy Lemon Chicken Orzo recipe features tender, pan-seared chicken breasts paired with zesty lemon-infused orzo pasta. A quick and flavorful one-pan dish perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner, combining bright citrus notes with savory herbs and Parmesan cheese for a comforting Mediterranean-inspired meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Orzo and Sauce
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare and Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and dried oregano. Add them to the skillet and cook each side for 6-7 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside to rest.
- Sauté Garlic and Add Liquids: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth, lemon juice, and lemon zest, stirring well to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
- Cook Orzo: Add the orzo pasta to the skillet, then reduce the heat to low and cover. Let it simmer gently for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
- Combine and Finish: While the orzo cooks, slice the cooked chicken breasts into strips. Once the orzo is ready, stir the sliced chicken and chopped fresh parsley into the skillet. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve: Serve the lemon chicken and orzo warm, topped with grated Parmesan cheese if desired for an extra layer of flavor.
Notes
- You can use vegetable broth as a substitute to make this recipe vegetarian by replacing chicken with firm tofu or chickpeas.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes while sautéing the garlic.
- Leftover orzo can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To make this dish dairy-free, omit the Parmesan cheese.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keywords: Lemon chicken, orzo pasta, quick dinner, Mediterranean recipe, one-pan meal, easy chicken recipe
