One Pot Lemon Chicken Orzo

Tender orzo, shredded chicken and spinach in a creamy light lemon sauce, One Pot Lemon Chicken Orzo is a hearty and satisfying weeknight meal. Ready in less than 30 minutes!

One pot meals are great for busy weeknights and this one is easy and packed with flavor. Think of it as a 30 minute comfort food!

This is a great way to feed your family a hearty and satisfying well rounded meal. Rotisserie chicken is a huge time saver in this delicious and easy meal.

What You’ll Need to Make One Pot Lemon Chicken Orzo

• Olive Oil – We use extra virgin olive oil but any olive oil, avocado oil, vegetable oil or canola oil may be used for this recipe.

• Butter – We use regular salted butter, but unsalted butter may also be used.

• Medium Onion – We use one medium yellow onion, chopped. White onions, sweet onions, or shallots may be used instead.

• Fresh Garlic – We use 3-4 cloves of minced garlic, about 1 teaspoon. You can substitute garlic paste, chopped garlic, or in a pinch, use 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder.

• Orzo Pasta – This is the star of the show. A small pasta that cooks quickly and absorbs flavors. Cooks fast!

• Chicken Broth – Vegetable broth may be used instead if that is what you have available.

• Lemon – We use the juice of one medium lemon. This is about 3 tablespoons.

• Heavy Cream – If you don’t have heavy cream, substitutions include half and half or evaporated milk in equal amounts.

• Chicken – We love to use leftover rotisserie chicken for this meal but cooked shredded or cubed chicken may be used instead.

• Basil – We like using fresh basil but we don’t always have it – instead we use 1/2 tablespoon of dried.

• Shredded Parmesan Cheese – Fresh shredded Parmesan is our first choice but grated or “green shaker Parmesan” can also be used for this recipe.

• Baby Spinach – We strongly suggest fresh baby spinach for best results!

How to Make One Pot Lemon Chicken Orzo

One Pot Lemon Chicken Orzo features tender orzo, shredded chicken and spinach in a creamy light lemon sauce. A delicious and easy weeknight meal. ready in less than 30 minutes

Place butter and olive oil in a medium dutch oven or large skillet and heat over medium-high heat.Add the chopped onion and cook until softened and slightly translucent, 4 – 5 minutes.

Add the garlic, ground black pepper, and orzo.

Stir well and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring often until the orzo is slightly toasted.

Add the chicken broth, cream, and lemon juice.

Bring to a bubble,then reduce the heat to medium.

Allow to simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Stir in the chicken and the fresh basil.

Remove from the heat and add the spinach and shredded Parmesan cheese. Stir until just combined and cover. Allow to rest for about 5 minutes.

Allow to rest for about 5 minutes.

Stir and serve immediately. Season to taste with salt & pepper. Enjoy!

Other Easy Dinner Ideas You May Like

One Pan Sausage & Peppers – an easy weeknight meal. Baked Italian sausages on a bed of seasoned peppers and onions, all cooked together with only one pan to wash!

Crockpot Taco Chili – dump, stir and walk away – super easy with just the right amount of spice!

Weeknight Pineapple Shrimp and Rice Bake – easy and delicious family weeknight meal!

Spinach and Sausage Spaghetti Pie – With Italian sausage and spinach hidden inside this is an unexpectedly good (and super easy!) weeknight creation that the entire family will love.

One Pot Lemon Butter Chicken – tender chicken cooked in a delicious creamy lemon butter sauce.