4.8 from 15 votes
Lemon Chicken and Orzo
Keep dinner easy with Lemon Chicken and Orzo! A zesty, creamy, one-pot meal packed with chicken, parmesan, and herbs—ready in 45 minutes.
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
45 mins
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 404 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Italian-American Fussion
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts cubed into 1-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 16 ounces orzo
- 2 tablespoons dried basil
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese or shredded
- 1/4 cup salted butter
Instructions
- Cube 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large, deep skillet (12-inch or larger) over medium-high heat. Add in cubed chicken and season with 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon garlic powder and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Cook for 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken starts to brown.
- Add 4 cups chicken broth, 1/4 cup lemon juice, 16 ounces orzo and 2 tablespoons dried basil Turn the heat to high and bring to a boil.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium, cover the skillet with a lid, and cook the orzo until it is al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent the orzo from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Cooking time will vary depending on the brand of orzo; refer to package instructions (typically about 9–10 minutes).
- Once the orzo is cooked, turn off the heat. Add 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese and 1/4 cup salted butter and stir until it has completely melted. Serve hot.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Add Veggies: This recipe is easy to add veggies to. Add asparagus in the last 3–4 minutes, broccoli about 5 minutes before the orzo is done, and green beans in the last 5 minutes. For softer veggies like spinach or cherry tomatoes, stir them in after turning off the heat and let them wilt.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1serving
Calories
404kcal
(20%)
Carbohydrates
48g
(16%)
Protein
25g
(50%)
Fat
13g
(20%)
Saturated Fat
5g
(25%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
Monounsaturated Fat
5g
Trans Fat
0.2g
Cholesterol
53mg
(18%)
Sodium
513mg
(21%)
Potassium
517mg
(15%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
2g
(4%)
Vitamin A
210IU
(4%)
Vitamin C
4mg
(4%)
Calcium
95mg
(10%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 404
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 404kcal | 20% |
| Carbohydrates | 48g | 16% |
| Protein | 25g | 50% |
| Fat | 13g | 20% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Trans Fat | 0.2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 53mg | 18% |
| Sodium | 513mg | 21% |
| Potassium | 517mg | 11% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 210IU | 4% |
| Vitamin C | 4mg | 4% |
| Calcium | 95mg | 10% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.