Print

Lemon Chicken Orzo Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 104 reviews

This creamy and zesty Lemon Chicken Orzo is a comforting one-pot meal combining tender shredded chicken, buttery orzo pasta, and fresh baby spinach, all infused with bright lemon juice and rich parmesan cheese. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it’s creamy, flavorful, and ready in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 medium onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 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
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Sauté the onion: Heat the olive oil and butter in a pot over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent.
  2. Add garlic, seasoning, and orzo: Stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and uncooked orzo pasta. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently to infuse flavor and lightly toast the orzo.
  3. Add liquids and simmer: Pour in the chicken broth, lemon juice, and heavy cream. Once the mixture begins to bubble, reduce the heat to medium or medium-low and simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes, stirring regularly. This allows the orzo to cook gently without boiling off too much liquid.
  4. Incorporate the chicken: Stir in the shredded cooked chicken to warm through evenly in the creamy mixture.
  5. Finish with parmesan and spinach: Remove the pot from heat and stir in the freshly grated parmesan cheese and the fresh baby spinach. Cover the pot and let it sit for 3-5 minutes to allow the spinach to wilt and the sauce to thicken slightly. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve immediately.

Notes

  • For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half or milk for the heavy cream, though the dish will be less creamy.
  • Use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken to save time.
  • If the orzo absorbs too much liquid before cooking through, add a splash of extra broth or water as needed.
  • Stir frequently during simmering to prevent the orzo from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
  • Fresh lemon juice is preferred for the best bright, tangy flavor.

Keywords: Lemon Chicken Orzo, creamy chicken pasta, quick dinner, one-pot meal, spinach, parmesan, comfort food

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