Easy lemon chicken with creamy spinach orzo

Name: Easy lemon chicken with creamy spinach orzo
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Yield: 4 serving
Ingredients: 4 chicken breasts; 2 tbsp olive oil; 3 tbsp lemon juice; 2 garlic cloves; ½ tsp paprika; 2 tsp Italian herbs / Italian seasoning; 1 tsp salt; 1 tsp pepper; 300 g (10.5oz) orzo pasta; 200 g (7oz) baby spinach; 2 tsp crushed garlic; ½ cup mascarpone; ½ cup pasta cooking water; ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese; salt and pepper; lemon; fresh basil

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4.4

141 reviews

Good

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Servings
4
Calories
436 kcal
Course
Dinner
Cuisine
Mediterranean, American

Easy lemon chicken with creamy spinach orzo

Kylie Thomas

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Creamy spinach orzo topped with juicy lemon chicken breasts is a delicious and easy weeknight dinner recipe that can be made in less than 30 minutes!

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Ingredients

Servings

4 chicken breasts (boneless and skinless)
2 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp lemon juice
2 garlic cloves thinly sliced
½ tsp paprika
2 tsp Italian herbs / Italian seasoning
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper

For the creamy spinach orzo

300 g (10.5oz) orzo pasta
200 g (7oz) baby spinach washed and dried
2 tsp crushed garlic
½ cup mascarpone
½ cup pasta cooking water (reserved from the orzo)
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
salt and pepper to taste
lemon to taste
fresh basil for serving

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Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the orzo pasta. Cook for 8-10 minutes or until the pasta is al dente.
Reserve 1 cup of cooking water and drain the orzo. Set aside.
Whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, paprika, herbs, garlic, salt and pepper and set aside.
Place the chicken on a chopping board and cover with parchment paper or plastic wrap. With a rolling pin or meat mallet, flatten the chicken out slightlyto approximately 1-2 cm (½in) thickness.
Place the chicken in a bowl or zip top bag and pour over the marinade. Allow to marinade for a few minutes or up to 24 hours in the fridge.
Heat a large pan over medium-high heat then add the chicken. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
In the same pan you cooked the chicken in, add the baby spinach and garlic and allow to cook until the spinach has wilted.
Add the mascarpone and a few tablespoons of the pasta cooking water. Stir until a smooth, creamy sauce develops.
Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and season with salt, pepper and a squeeze of lemon juice.
Add the cooked orzo and add more of the pasta cooking water if necessary.
Top with the cooked chicken and fresh basil then serve.

Nutrition Information

Show Details

Calories 436kcal (22%) Carbohydrates 35g (12%) Protein 37g (74%) Fat 16g (25%) Saturated Fat 5g (25%) Cholesterol 91mg (30%) Sodium 1039mg (43%) Potassium 891mg (25%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 3g (6%) Vitamin A 5048IU (101%) Vitamin C 21mg (23%) Calcium 210mg (21%) Iron 4mg (22%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 436 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories	436kcal	22%
Carbohydrates	35g	12%
Protein	37g	74%
Fat	16g	25%
Saturated Fat	5g	25%
Cholesterol	91mg	30%
Sodium	1039mg	43%
Potassium	891mg	19%
Fiber	3g	12%
Sugar	3g	6%
Vitamin A	5048IU	101%
Vitamin C	21mg	23%
Calcium	210mg	21%
Iron	4mg	22%