One Skillet Creamy Lemon Chicken Orzo
A quick and delicious one skillet meal featuring tender chicken breasts cooked with orzo pasta in a creamy lemon sauce, perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup orzo pasta
2 1/2 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Season the chicken pieces with salt and black pepper.
Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add the orzo pasta to the skillet and stir to coat it with the oil and garlic.
Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
Stir in the heavy cream, lemon juice, lemon zest, Parmesan cheese, and butter until the sauce is creamy and well combined.
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir to combine with the orzo and sauce.
Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to heat through.
Remove from heat and sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top before serving.