Lemon Chicken Orzo Recipe
A creamy and zesty Lemon Chicken Orzo recipe that combines tender shredded chicken, flavorful orzo pasta, and fresh baby spinach in a luscious lemon-infused sauce, perfect for a quick yet elegant dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing and Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Low Salt
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 cooked shredded or rotisserie chicken
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cups packed fresh baby spinach
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: In a pot over medium-high heat, add olive oil, butter, and chopped onion. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant.
- Add Garlic and Orzo: Stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and orzo pasta. Continue stirring frequently and cook for 2-3 minutes to lightly toast the orzo and develop flavor.
- Simmer with Liquids: Pour in the chicken broth, lemon juice, and heavy cream. Stir well and bring the mixture to a gentle bubble. Reduce the heat to medium or medium-low and let it simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes, stirring often, until the orzo is tender and has absorbed much of the liquid.
- Add Chicken: Mix in the shredded cooked chicken, stirring thoroughly to combine all the ingredients.
- Finish with Cheese and Spinach: Remove the pot from heat. Stir in the freshly grated parmesan cheese and packed baby spinach. Cover the pot and let it sit for 3-5 minutes to allow the cheese to melt and the spinach to wilt. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then serve immediately.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken for a quick shortcut.
- Adjust the amount of lemon juice to your preferred level of tanginess.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, but the sauce will be less rich.
- This dish reheats well and can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Add fresh herbs like parsley or basil for extra freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 3.5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg
Keywords: lemon chicken orzo, creamy orzo pasta, lemon chicken recipe, easy dinner, one-pot meal
Find it online: https://ricoloranz.com/lemon-chicken-orzo-recipe/
