Creamy Lemon Chicken Orzo (Printable Version)

Tender chicken and creamy orzo with lemon zest and Parmesan create a flavorful, comforting dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 1 teaspoon salt
03 - ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
04 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Orzo & Aromatics

05 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
06 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
07 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
08 - 1 cup orzo pasta

→ Sauce & Flavor

09 - 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
10 - ½ cup heavy cream
11 - Zest of 1 lemon
12 - Juice of 1 lemon (about 2 tablespoons)
13 - ½ teaspoon dried thyme
14 - ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

→ Finish

15 - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
16 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
17 - Lemon slices, for garnish

# How to Make It:

01 - Sprinkle chicken pieces evenly with salt and black pepper.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and sauté until golden and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate.
03 - Reduce heat to medium. Melt butter in the same skillet, then add onion and cook until soft and translucent, approximately 3 minutes. Stir in garlic and orzo, cooking for 1 to 2 minutes until orzo is lightly toasted.
04 - Pour in chicken broth while scraping up browned bits from the skillet. Add heavy cream, lemon zest, lemon juice, dried thyme, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Bring mixture to a gentle simmer.
05 - Return chicken pieces to the pan. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until orzo is tender and sauce thickens, about 10 to 12 minutes.
06 - Stir in grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm, garnished with additional parsley and lemon slices.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in a single skillet, which means one pan to wash and a kitchen that doesn't feel like a disaster zone.
  • The bright lemon cuts through the cream in a way that feels luxurious but still light enough for any night of the week.
  • Tender chicken and creamy pasta come together without any fussy techniques or intimidating steps.
02 -
  • Don't skip the step of toasting the orzo in butter—it changes the texture and flavor in a way that feels small but tastes significant.
  • Taste the sauce before serving and be generous with lemon juice; it's what makes this dish shine instead of taste like regular creamy pasta.
03 -
  • Cut your chicken into uniform pieces so everything finishes cooking at the same time, leaving no raw centers or dried-out edges.
  • Zest your lemon before you juice it—trying to zest a squeezed lemon is a frustrating lesson learned the hard way.
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