Lemon Chicken Orzo: A Zesty Delight
Lemon chicken orzo is a vibrant dish that combines tender chicken, creamy orzo pasta, and a refreshing citrus kick. This easy-to-make recipe brightens any dinner table and is perfect for family gatherings or cozy nights in. With its delightful flavors and eye-catching colors, lemon chicken orzo is sure to impress everyone from skeptics to foodies alike.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Main
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients
Scale
- 3–4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (1.5 lbs)
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups fresh spinach or kale, chopped
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients by chopping chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and sauté the chicken until golden brown, approximately 5-7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
- Add minced garlic; cook for an additional minute until fragrant, then stir in the orzo pasta.
- Pour in chicken broth and lemon juice; bring to a gentle boil while stirring well.
- Reduce heat to low, cover the skillet, and simmer for about 10-12 minutes until the orzo is tender.
- Stir in chopped spinach or kale during the last few minutes of cooking.
- Remove from heat, mix in lemon zest, and serve warm.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (250g)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 75mg