Print

Lemon Herb Orzo with Chicken

Creamy lemon herb orzo with golden brown chicken in one pan meal
Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

A bright and comforting one-pan dinner where toasted orzo creates a velvety sauce without heavy cream. This recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavor from simple ingredients, perfect for a reliable weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1.5 cups (about 10 oz) uncooked orzo pasta
  • 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • Zest and juice of 2 large lemons (about 0.25 cup juice)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 0.5 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 0.5 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
  • 0.25 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill (or 2 tsp dried)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Sear chicken until golden, 5-7 min. Remove to a plate.
  2. Add remaining oil to skillet. Cook onion until soft, 4-5 min. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Add orzo and toast, stirring constantly, for 2-3 min until light golden.
  4. Pour in broth, lemon juice, oregano, and thyme. Scrape up browned bits. Bring to a simmer.
  5. Return chicken and juices to skillet. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 10-12 min until orzo is tender.
  6. Remove from heat. Stir in cream, Parmesan, lemon zest, parsley, and dill. Adjust seasoning and serve.

Notes

Toasting the orzo is crucial for a creamy sauce. Use fresh Parmesan for best melting. For dairy-free, omit cream and Parmesan and use nutritional yeast or coconut milk.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://harmonymeal.com/lemon-herb-orzo-chicken/