Description
Creamy Lemon Chicken Orzo is a delightful, one-pan dish that perfectly balances tender chicken and creamy orzo with zesty lemon flavors. In just 45 minutes, this comforting meal comes together effortlessly, making it ideal for both busy weeknights and special gatherings. The rich combination of heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and fresh lemon zest creates an irresistible flavor profile that even picky eaters will love. Plus, it’s versatile enough to customize with your favorite vegetables or proteins.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of 1 lemon (about 2 tablespoons)
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Lemon slices, for garnish
Instructions
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
- In a large deep skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Sauté the chicken until golden and cooked through (5-7 minutes). Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Melt butter; add chopped onion and cook until soft (about 3 minutes). Stir in minced garlic and orzo; toast for 1-2 minutes.
- Pour in chicken broth and scrape up browned bits from the pan. Add heavy cream, lemon zest, lemon juice, thyme, and red pepper flakes (if using) and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Return the chicken to the skillet. Cook uncovered until orzo is tender (10-12 minutes), stirring occasionally.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese; adjust seasoning if needed. Serve warm with garnishes of parsley and lemon slices.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 485
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 105mg