I Need a Recipe

Weeknight • Chicken

Speedy Lemon Herb Chicken Orzo

This vibrant one-pan dish combines tender chicken, bright lemon, and hearty orzo for a quick, flavorful weeknight meal.

Prep
10 min
Cook
25 min
Servings
4
Level
Weeknight
Speedy Lemon Herb Chicken Orzo

Looking for a dish that's both comforting and incredibly fresh? This Speedy Lemon Herb Chicken Orzo comes together in a single pan, making cleanup a breeze and dinner delicious. It's packed with flavor, thanks to fragrant herbs and a zesty lemon kick, perfect for any night of the week.

Ingredients

Yield: 4 servings

Main

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 small yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional, for extra creaminess)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and cook until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.

  2. Step 2

    Add onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

  3. Step 3

    Add uncooked orzo to the skillet, stirring to toast lightly for about 1 minute. Pour in chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a simmer.

  4. Step 4

    Return chicken to the skillet. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 12-15 minutes, or until orzo is al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed, stirring occasionally.

  5. Step 5

    Stir in heavy cream (if using), Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, fresh dill, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, until heated through and creamy. Serve immediately.

Tips

  • For extra veggies, stir in a cup of fresh spinach or frozen peas during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
  • If you don't have fresh herbs, use 1 teaspoon each of dried parsley and dill, but add them with the chicken broth.

More recipes you'll love

One-Pan Chicken and Rice Pilaf
Weeknight•50 min
One-Pan Chicken and Rice Pilaf

A deeply flavorful, comforting chicken and rice dish that cooks entirely in one pan, making cleanup a breeze.