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Creamy Lemon Chicken Orzo One-Pot Dinner

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A quick and easy one-pot dinner combining creamy, tangy lemon flavors with tender chicken thighs and orzo pasta, perfect for satisfying weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup orzo pasta
  • 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • Zest and juice of 1 large lemon
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream or Greek yogurt
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Optional: red pepper flakes
  • Optional: grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add chicken thighs and cook until golden brown on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. Lower heat to medium. In the same pan, add chopped onion and minced garlic. Stir frequently until softened and fragrant, about 2-3 minutes. Add a splash of olive oil if pan looks dry.
  4. Add orzo pasta to the pan and stir to coat in the onion-garlic mixture. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer, scraping up browned bits from the pan bottom.
  5. Return browned chicken thighs to the pan, nestling them into the simmering orzo and broth. Reduce heat to low, cover with lid, and cook gently for 15 minutes without lifting the lid.
  6. Check orzo for tenderness; if needed, add a splash more broth or water and cook uncovered for a few more minutes. Stir in lemon zest and juice carefully.
  7. Remove from heat and stir in heavy cream or Greek yogurt until sauce is creamy. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes.
  8. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately with a lemon wedge and optional grated Parmesan.

Notes

Do not rush browning the chicken to develop flavor. Avoid stirring orzo too much while simmering to prevent mushiness. Add lemon juice at the end to prevent dairy curdling. If sauce is too thick, loosen with broth or water; if too thin, simmer uncovered a bit longer.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon chicken, orzo, one-pot dinner, creamy chicken, weeknight meal, easy dinner, comfort food

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