Lemon Garlic Chicken Orzo (Printable Version)

Comforting one-pot meal with tender chicken, lemon garlic orzo, and fresh spinach ready in 40 minutes.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
03 - 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Aromatics & Base

04 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
05 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
06 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
07 - Zest of 1 lemon
08 - 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

→ Orzo & Broth

09 - 1.5 cups orzo pasta
10 - 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
11 - 0.5 cup dry white wine, optional

→ Vegetables & Finish

12 - 4 cups fresh baby spinach
13 - 0.33 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
14 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
15 - Lemon wedges for serving

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Season chicken pieces evenly with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add seasoned chicken and sear until golden brown on all sides, approximately 5-6 minutes. Transfer to a plate; chicken does not need to be fully cooked through.
03 - In the same pot, add chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and lemon zest, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Stir in orzo pasta and toast for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently to coat with oil.
05 - Pour in white wine if using, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Allow to simmer for 1 minute.
06 - Add chicken broth and lemon juice to the pot. Bring to a gentle boil.
07 - Return seared chicken and any accumulated juices to the pot. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
08 - Stir in fresh spinach and cook uncovered for 2-3 minutes until wilted and orzo reaches al dente texture.
09 - Remove from heat. Stir in Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley. Adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or lemon juice to taste.
10 - Distribute warm preparation into serving bowls. Top with additional Parmesan cheese and serve with fresh lemon wedges.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Cleanup is a dream since it all happens in one pot, leaving you more time to actually enjoy dinner.
  • The pasta absorbs all those lemony, garlicky juices while everything cooks together, so there's no bland element in sight.
  • It feels fancy enough for guests but honest enough for a weeknight when you're tired and hungry.
02 -
  • Don't skip toasting the orzo, it prevents it from becoming gluey and gives it a character that makes the whole dish feel intentional.
  • Taste before serving because lemon is personal, some people want more brightness and others want it subtle, so let the final adjustment be theirs or yours.
03 -
  • Buy chicken thighs over breasts if you can, they forgive overcooking and stay tender and moist, which is the whole point of a one-pot meal.
  • Don't crowd the pan when searing the chicken or it steams instead of browns, so work in batches if you have to, it only takes a few extra minutes.
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