Bright, creamy, and loaded with flavor, this one-pan lemon chicken orzo is a weeknight favorite that feels elevated without the fuss. Finished with fresh spinach gently simmered into the sauce, it’s cozy, fresh, and completely crave-worthy.
Ingredients
- 1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup uncooked orzo
- 2½ cups chicken broth
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of 1 lemon
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2–3 cups fresh baby spinach
Optional for serving:
Extra Parmesan, lemon slices, fresh parsley
Instructions
- Season & sear the chicken
Pat chicken dry and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken 4–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside. - Toast the orzo
Reduce heat to medium. Add garlic to the same skillet and sauté 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in orzo and toast for 1 minute. - Simmer
Pour in chicken broth, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Bring to a gentle simmer. Cook uncovered for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is tender and most liquid is absorbed. - Make it creamy
Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan until smooth and glossy. - Spinach finish (your signature move 🌿)
Add spinach, stir, and let simmer 2–3 minutes until wilted and tender. - Bring it together
Nestle chicken back into the skillet, spoon sauce over top, and simmer 1–2 minutes to warm through.
Serving Tips
- Finish with extra Parmesan and a squeeze of lemon 🍋
- Serve with roasted broccoli or a simple arugula salad
- Leftovers reheat beautifully
- I serve this with True Foods Kitchen Copycat Kale Caesar
🍋🌿 Flavor-Packed Lemon Chicken with Orzo
Bright, creamy, and loaded with flavor, this one-pan lemon chicken orzo is a weeknight favorite that feels elevated without the fuss. Finished with fresh spinach gently simmered into the sauce, it’s cozy, fresh, and completely crave-worthy.
Ingredients
Method
- Season & sear the chicken
- Pat chicken dry and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken 4–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Toast the orzo
- Reduce heat to medium. Add garlic to the same skillet and sauté 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in orzo and toast for 1 minute.
- Simmer
- Pour in chicken broth, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Bring to a gentle simmer. Cook uncovered for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
- Make it creamy
- Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan until smooth and glossy.
- Spinach finish (your signature move 🌿)
- Add spinach, stir, and let simmer 2–3 minutes until wilted and tender.
- Bring it together
- Nestle chicken back into the skillet, spoon sauce over top, and simmer 1–2 minutes to warm through
Notes
- Finish with extra Parmesan and a squeeze of lemon 🍋
- Serve with roasted broccoli or a simple arugula salad
- Leftovers reheat beautifully
- Serve with True Foods Kitchen Copycat Caesar
