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One Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken with Orzo

One Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken with Orzo
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One Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken with Orzo is a quick and easy meal that combines tender chicken, zesty lemon, fragrant garlic, and creamy orzo pasta in a single pot. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish offers bright citrus flavors balanced with savory notes and minimal cleanup, making it both satisfying and convenient.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

  • 4 chicken thighs or breasts (bone-in or boneless)

Pasta and Grains

  • 1 cup orzo pasta

Liquids

  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • Juice and zest of 2 fresh lemons
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Aromatics and Herbs

  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Seasonings

  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken thighs generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or deep pan over medium heat. Add the chicken and sear until golden brown on both sides, about 4-5 minutes per side. Once browned, remove the chicken and set aside.
  2. Sauté Aromatics: In the same pan, add minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, taking care not to burn it as that will turn the garlic bitter.
  3. Add Orzo and Liquids: Pour in the orzo pasta, stirring to coat it in the olive oil and garlic. Then add the chicken broth along with the juice and zest of fresh lemons. Stir everything together, scraping up any browned bits from the pan to enhance flavor.
  4. Return Chicken to the Pot: Nestle the seared chicken thighs back into the pot, skin side up if using skin-on chicken. Cover and simmer gently for about 15-20 minutes until the orzo is tender and the chicken is cooked through.
  5. Finish and Garnish: Remove from heat once cooked. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot to enjoy the bright lemon and garlic aromas.

Notes

  • Use bone-in chicken for moister and richer flavor.
  • Toast the orzo slightly before adding liquid to bring out nuttiness.
  • Don’t skip lemon zest for concentrated citrus flavor.
  • Simmer gently to keep chicken tender and orzo al dente.
  • Let the pot rest covered for a few minutes before serving to meld flavors and thicken sauce.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon garlic chicken, one pot meal, orzo pasta, easy dinner, quick recipe, healthy chicken, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://tastebudtrek.com/one-pot-lemon-garlic-chicken-with-orzo/