Creamy Lemon Chicken Orzo (Printable)

Tender chicken and creamy orzo infused with lemon and herbs in a one-pan Mediterranean-inspired dish.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 1 teaspoon salt
03 - ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
04 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Orzo & Aromatics

05 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
06 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
07 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
08 - 1 cup orzo pasta

→ Sauce & Flavor

09 - 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
10 - ½ cup heavy cream
11 - Zest of 1 lemon
12 - Juice of 1 lemon (approximately 2 tablespoons)
13 - ½ teaspoon dried thyme
14 - ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

→ Finish

15 - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
16 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
17 - Lemon slices, for garnish

# How-To Steps:

01 - Season chicken pieces evenly with salt and pepper.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until golden and cooked through, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
03 - Reduce heat to medium. Melt butter in the same skillet, add onion and sauté until softened and translucent, about 3 minutes. Stir in garlic and orzo; cook 1 to 2 minutes until orzo is lightly toasted.
04 - Pour in chicken broth, stirring to deglaze the pan. Add heavy cream, lemon zest, lemon juice, thyme, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Bring mixture to a gentle simmer.
05 - Return chicken to the skillet. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until orzo is tender and sauce is creamy, approximately 10 to 12 minutes.
06 - Stir in Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
07 - Serve warm, garnished with additional parsley and lemon slices.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It's a true one-pan wonder that feels indulgent without keeping you stuck at the stove.
  • The lemon brings this unexpected brightness that makes the whole thing feel lighter than it actually is.
  • Dinner is ready in less than an hour, and your kitchen smells absolutely incredible the entire time.
02 -
  • Don't let the cream boil hard or it can separate and get grainy—a gentle simmer is your friend here.
  • Taste before you plate because sometimes a pinch more salt or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice makes all the difference between good and absolutely perfect.
03 -
  • Toasting the orzo in the butter before adding liquid gives it a subtle depth that untoasted pasta just can't match.
  • Zest your lemon before juicing it, because once you've squeezed it, getting zest off a naked lemon is an exercise in frustration.
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