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Lemon Chicken Orzo Recipe

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3.9 from 4 reviews

This Lemon Chicken Orzo is a creamy, comforting one-pot meal that’s bursting with bright lemon flavor, tender shredded chicken, and fresh spinach. The orzo pasta is toasted in a buttery mixture with garlic and Italian seasoning before being simmered in chicken broth, lemon juice, and cream until perfectly tender. Finished with parmesan cheese and fresh spinach stirred in off the heat, this dish comes together in just 30 minutes making it an ideal weeknight dinner that’s both easy and delicious.

Ingredients

Fats and Aromatics

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 medium onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

Seasoning

  • 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Main Ingredients

  • 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 cup heavy/whipping cream
  • 2 cups shredded cooked or rotisserie chicken
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups packed fresh baby spinach

Finishing

  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Sauté onion: Heat olive oil and butter in a pot over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent.
  2. Toast orzo and add aromatics: Stir in minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and uncooked orzo pasta. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring often, allowing the orzo to toast slightly and absorb the flavors.
  3. Add liquids and simmer: Pour in chicken broth, lemon juice, and heavy cream. Once the mixture starts to bubble, reduce heat to medium or medium-low to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking and to ensure the orzo cooks through without the liquid reducing too much.
  4. Add chicken: Stir the shredded cooked chicken into the pot, allowing it to warm through with the orzo mixture.
  5. Finish with cheese and spinach: Remove the pot from heat. Stir in freshly grated parmesan cheese and fresh baby spinach. Cover the pot for 3-5 minutes to let the cheese melt and the spinach wilt, thickening the dish to your desired consistency.
  6. Season and serve: Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.

Notes

  • To avoid the orzo sticking or drying out, maintain a gentle simmer and stir frequently during cooking.
  • If the mixture thickens too much before the orzo is fully cooked, add a splash of chicken broth or water to loosen it.
  • Rotisserie chicken works perfectly for a quick and flavorful protein addition.
  • Adjust the amount of lemon juice to taste for more or less brightness.
  • For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, though the dish will be less rich.

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