Lemon Chicken Orzo
This lemon chicken orzo is the perfect combination of tender, juicy chicken and fluffy, flavor-infused orzo. Using just a handful of ingredients, this recipe comes together in under an hour!
My lemon chicken orzo is perfect for busy weeknights! Pasta is always a great go-to, but it can get boring going through the same routine of lasagna, spaghetti, and alfredo. This zesty orzo is just as easy to make as your favorite pasta dishes, but has SO MUCH MORE FLAVOR and depth.The juicy, tender grilled chicken pairs perfectly with the fluffy, lemon-infused orzo. You can top your orzo with some freshly grated parmesan cheese, chopped basil, or a few extra lemon wedges.
Reasons We Love This Recipe
● This meal is great for refined palates and picky eaters.
● It is low cost and comes together in under an hour!
● You can serve this dish on its own or pair it with a variety of sides. Like my Charred Broccoli
Ingredient Notes
Salted Butter—To cook the chicken. You can also use unsalted butter with a sprinkle of salt.
Chicken Breast—Diced. You could substitue for chicken thighs also
All-Purpose Flour—To coat your chicken.
Seasoning Blend—A flavorful combination of salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and fresh garlic.
Orzo—Can be found on the pasta aisle of most major grocery stores.
Chicken Broth—Infuses the pasta with flavor and helps give it a little extra flavor.
Lemon Juice—Bottled or freshly squeezed.
How to Cook
- Prep your chicken: Add your diced chicken to a bowl along with the flour, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Toss the chicken and spices together until the chicken is evenly coated.
- Cook the chicken: Melt your butter in a large pan or skillet over medium heat. Once the butter is completely melted add the chicken. Cook your chicken until golden brown and no longer pink in the middle.
- Cook your orzo: Remove your chicken from the pan. Add the chicken broth, lemon juice, and orzo. Cook your orzo for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until fluffy.
- Combine the chicken and orzo: Turn off the heat and add your diced chicken back into the pan. Fold the orzo and chicken together.
Plate and ENJOY!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my chicken sticking to the pan?
Plenty of butter is the key to preventing your chicken from sticking. Even if you are using a nonstick pan, you’ll want to give the chicken a little extra flavor and keep it from sticking. Another thing you’ll want to keep an eye on is the temperature at which you’re cooking it. If your pan gets too hot then the chicken will start to burn and stick to the pan before it’s cooked all the way. The same goes for the orzo. Stir the pasta frequently to keep it from sticking and burning.
What else can I add to my lemon chicken orzo?
If you are a big fan of lemon then you will love topping your orzo with some freshly squeezed lemon juice. Parmesan makes another great garnish. The rich, savory cheese really balances the tart, zesty lemon juice. Another flavorful garnish is freshly chopped or dried basil. No matter what you choose to top your lemon chicken orzo with, it is sure to be delicious! Serving Suggestions
One of my favorite things about this dish is how versatile it is. When we are having a busier evening, we can throw this orzo together and serve it on its own. When we have a little more time on our hands we can easily pair with a few different sides. You can never go wrong pairing a savory pasta dish like this with some homemade Garlic Knots and a homemade Caesar Salad. We especially love how our Tomato Burrata Salad pairs with the savory, zesty flavors of the orzo.
How to Store Your Leftovers
It is important to note that your leftovers are going to dry out a little bit. With that being said, you can store your leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days. The best way to reheat your leftover chicken orzo is on the stovetop. You’ll want to throw all your leftovers in a pan or skillet with a few tablespoons of water or chicken broth. Stir the leftovers over low-medium heat until the added liquid has evaporated and the leftovers are warm. If you are short on time or feeling a little bit more lazy you can reheat your chicken orzo in the microwave for about 1 ½ minutes. Stop halfway through and give your leftovers a quick stir to help them reheat evenly.
Expert Tips and Tricks
● You can use fresh or bottled lemon juice. Freshly squeezed lemons will have a little more flavor. If you are using fresh lemon juice then you’ll want about 2 lemons.
● If you want to add a little extra flavor to your pasta then you can add the zest of one lemon. Either add it to the uncooked pasta or fold it in with the chicken.
● Coating your chicken helps give it that beautiful golden brown color and adds a little bit of texture to your chicken.
● Make sure your chicken is cooked through all the way with an internal temperature of 165°F.
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Lemon Chicken Orzo
Ingredients
- 2 Pounds Chicken Breast Diced
- 1/4 Cup All-Purpose Flour
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
- 2 Cloves Garlic Minced
- 1/2 Cup Salted Butter
- 8 Oz Orzo
- 2 Cups Chicken Broth
- 2 Tbsp Lemon Juice
Equipment
- Large Pan or Skilllet
Instructions
- Add your diced chicken to a bowl along with the flour, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Toss the ingredients together until the chicken is evenly coated. Set aside.
- Melt your butter in a large pan or skillet over medium heat. Once the butter is completely melted, add the chicken. Cook your chicken for about 10 minutes, flipping occasionally until it’s golden brown and cooked all the way through to 165°F
- Remove your chicken from the pan. Add the chicken broth, lemon juice, and orzo. Cook your orzo for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until fluffy.
- Turn off the heat and add your diced chicken back into the pan. Fold the orzo and chicken together.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- You can store your leftover lemon chicken orzo in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat a plate of pasta in the microwave for 45 seconds. Remove the plate and stir your pasta. Continue reheating for 30 seconds at a time until warm in the middle.
- You can use fresh or bottled lemon juice in this recipe. Fresh juice will give you the most flavor. If you are using fresh lemons then you’ll need about two.
- If you want to add a little extra flavor to your pasta then you can add the zest of one lemon. To your pasta. You can either add it with the uncooked pasta or fold it in with the chicken after the orzo is done cooking.
- Coating your chicken in flour helps give it that beautiful golden brown color and also adds a little bit of texture to the outside of the chicken.
- If you’re worried about whether or not your chicken is cooked through all the way then you can see if the internal temp is 165°F.
- Orzo can be found at most major grocery stores on the pasta aisle. Uncooked it looks like a very thick piece of rice.
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.
2 Comments on “Lemon Chicken Orzo”
You list garlic as an ingredient, but it not included in the instructions.
I am a intermediate cook and knew where i was using it. However, beginners will not.
Making this recipe now as I type. I like the flavor.
Thank you for pointing that out!!