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One-Pot Creamy Lemon Chicken Orzo

Close-up of creamy lemon chicken orzo pasta topped with seared chicken pieces and wilted spinach.
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Make this bright and satisfying one-pot lemon chicken orzo for a quick weeknight dinner. This recipe delivers tender chicken and creamy orzo pasta with fresh lemon flavor, requiring minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

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  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup orzo pasta
  • 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups fresh spinach
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned on all sides and nearly cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken and set it aside.
  2. 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.
  3. Add the orzo pasta to the skillet and toast for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
  4. Pour in the chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until the orzo is mostly tender.
  5. Stir in the heavy cream, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Continue to simmer, uncovered, for 3-5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and the chicken to finish cooking.
  6. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until the sauce is creamy. Add the fresh spinach and stir until it wilts into the orzo.
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. Serve this easy lemon chicken orzo immediately.

Notes

  • For extra brightness, finish the dish with a small pat of butter just before serving.
  • You can substitute the spinach with 1 cup of frozen peas added during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
  • This recipe works well as meal prep; store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://delicerecipe.com/lemon-chicken-orzo-recipe-easy-one-pot/