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Lemon Chicken Orzo

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πŸ‹ Lemon Chicken Orzo Recipe delivers a bright, citrus-infused meal with tender chicken and creamy orzo pasta.
🌿 This quick and easy dish combines fresh herbs and garlic for a flavorful dinner ready in about 30 minutes.

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 2 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

2 medium chicken breasts, pounded to Β½ inch thickness

1 teaspoon garlic powder

2 teaspoons Italian seasoning (divided)

Salt and pepper to taste

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 cup orzo pasta

2 cups chicken broth

ΒΎ cup heavy cream

Β½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

2 cups baby spinach

1 medium lemon for zest and juice

Butter amount as needed for finishing

1 small yellow onion, diced

4 garlic cloves, minced

Lemon slices for garnish

Chopped Italian parsley for garnish

Instructions

1-Begin by heating 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the 2 medium chicken breasts, seasoned with 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning (divided), salt, and pepper, and cook for about 5-7 minutes until golden and fully done. Make sure to stir occasionally for even browning and pound the chicken to Β½ inch thickness beforehand for uniform cooking.

2-Once the chicken is set aside, use the same skillet to sautΓ© 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 small diced yellow onion for about 1 minute until fragrant. Then, add 1 cup of orzo pasta and stir for 2 minutes to lightly toast it, which boosts the flavor.

3-Cooking the Orzo: Pour in 2 cups of chicken broth and the juice of 1 medium lemon, then bring to a gentle boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for 10 minutes until the orzo is tender and the liquid is absorbed. Mix in ΒΎ cup heavy cream, Β½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, 2 cups baby spinach, and the zest of 1 medium lemon for that creamy, citrus finish.

4-Return the chicken to the skillet, stir everything together, and heat for another 2 minutes. Finish with a bit of butter, then garnish with lemon slices and chopped Italian parsley. Remember to rest the chicken briefly to retain its juices, ensuring a juicy result every time.

Last Step:

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Notes

πŸ— Pound chicken breasts evenly for uniform cooking.
⏲️ Allow chicken to rest after cooking to retain juices.
πŸ‹ Zest the lemon before juicing to maximize flavor infusion.

  • Author: Brandi Oshea
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: SautΓ©ing, Simmering
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Gluten-Free

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 528
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 600 mg
  • Fat: 31 g
  • Saturated Fat: 18 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 39 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 24 g
  • Cholesterol: 110 mg