Creamy Lemon Orzo with Chicken Recipe
This Creamy Lemon Orzo with Chicken is a delightful one-pan meal that combines tender, seasoned chicken with rich, creamy orzo pasta infused with fresh lemon juice and parmesan cheese. The addition of spinach adds a fresh, vibrant touch, making it an easy, comforting dish perfect for weeknight dinners.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1½ pounds chicken breast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Orzo and Sauce
- 16 ounces orzo
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1½ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese
- 8 ounces fresh spinach
- lemon zest, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes and season evenly with salt, pepper, and garlic powder to infuse flavor into the meat.
- Cook the chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Once hot, arrange the chicken cubes in a single layer. Cook for 3-4 minutes without stirring to get a good sear, then stir and cook an additional 3-4 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside. It doesn’t need to be fully cooked at this stage as it will finish cooking later.
- Toast the orzo: In the same skillet, add the butter and orzo. Stir the orzo continuously until it becomes lightly browned and toasty, enhancing its nutty flavor. Then, pour in the chicken broth, heavy cream, and fresh lemon juice, stirring well to combine and scraping the skillet bottom to loosen any flavorful bits.
- Simmer the orzo: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover the skillet. Let it simmer gently for 10-12 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
- Finish the dish: Remove the lid and stir in the parmesan cheese, cooked chicken cubes, and fresh spinach. Continue cooking while stirring regularly until the spinach wilts and the chicken is completely cooked through.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh lemon zest for a bright, citrusy aroma, and serve the dish immediately while creamy and warm.
Notes
- If the chicken is not fully cooked after searing, it will finish cooking in the simmering step, so don’t worry about fully cooking it initially.
- Use fresh lemon juice and zest for the best bright, citrus flavor.
- You can substitute fresh spinach with baby kale or Swiss chard for a different leafy green texture.
- For a lighter version, you may replace heavy cream with half-and-half or a creamy non-dairy alternative.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat gently to prevent the cream from splitting.
Keywords: Creamy lemon orzo, chicken dinner, one-pan meal, creamy pasta, lemon chicken, spinach orzo, quick dinner recipe
