EASY TO COOK

🍋 One Pot Lemon Chicken Orzo 🍗🍋

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This One Pot Lemon Chicken Orzo is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that combines tender chicken, creamy orzo, fresh spinach, and a burst of lemony flavor. It’s the perfect meal for a cozy weeknight dinner that comes together quickly with minimal cleanup.

📋 Ingredients:

  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces 🍗
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil 🛢️
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced 🧄
  • 1 cup orzo pasta 🍚
  • 2 cups chicken broth 🍲
  • 1 cup water 💧
  • Juice and zest of 1 lemon 🍋
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half 🥛
  • 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped 🌿
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 🧀
  • Salt and pepper, to taste 🧂
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) 🌿

📝 Instructions:

1. Cook the Chicken:

  1. Heat the oil:
  • In a large pot or deep skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
  1. Cook the chicken:
  • Add the chicken pieces to the pot, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 4-5 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.

2. Cook the Orzo:

  1. Sauté the garlic:
  • In the same pot, add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  1. Add orzo and liquids:
  • Add the orzo, chicken broth, water, lemon juice, and lemon zest to the pot. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a boil.
  1. Simmer:
  • Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let the orzo simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.

3. Combine and Finish:

  1. Add chicken and cream:
  • Return the cooked chicken to the pot, then stir in the heavy cream and spinach. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, until the spinach is wilted and everything is heated through.
  1. Add Parmesan:
  • Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.

4. Serve:

  1. Garnish and serve:
  • Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve the One Pot Lemon Chicken Orzo hot.

⏱️ Preparation Time: 10 minutes
⏱️ Cooking Time: 20 minutes
⏱️ Total Time: 30 minutes
🍽️ Servings: 4 servings
🔥 Calories: Approximately 400-450 kcal per serving

This One Pot Lemon Chicken Orzo is creamy, zesty, and loaded with flavor. The combination of lemon, garlic, and Parmesan cheese makes it a refreshing and comforting dish that’s perfect for any night of the week. Plus, it’s all made in one pot for easy cleanup! 🍋🌿🧄