0 from 141 votes
Easy lemon chicken with creamy spinach orzo
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!
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 436 kcal
Course:
Dinner
Cuisine:
Mediterranean , American
Ingredients
- 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
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.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
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
% 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% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.