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Creamy Lemon Chicken Orzo Skillet

A close-up of a bowl filled with creamy lemon chicken orzo, garnished with lemon zest and parsley.
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A bright and tangy one-skillet chicken and orzo dinner with a creamy lemon sauce. This dish is quick to prepare and perfect for a weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup orzo pasta
  • 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 0.5 cup heavy cream
  • 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken, salt, and pepper. Cook until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
  2. Add onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  3. Stir in the orzo and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
  4. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Return the chicken to the skillet.
  5. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 10-12 minutes, or until orzo is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
  6. Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Cook, stirring, until the sauce is creamy and thickened, about 2-3 minutes.
  7. Stir in the lemon juice, parsley, and lemon zest.
  8. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • For a lighter sauce, you can substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
  • Garnish with extra fresh parsley and lemon zest before serving.
  • This dish pairs well with a simple green salad.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://delicerecipe.com/creamy-lemon-chicken-orzo/