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Creamy Lemon Chicken Orzo with Fresh Herbs

A close-up of a serving of Creamy Lemon Chicken Orzo, topped with fresh herbs and lemon zest.
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Prepare a bright and creamy one-pot meal featuring tender chicken, zesty lemon, and fresh herbs mixed into orzo pasta.

Ingredients

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  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine (optional)
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • Zest of 1 large lemon
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Season the chicken pieces generously with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned on all sides and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken and set it aside.
  3. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  4. Add the orzo pasta to the skillet and toast for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.
  5. Pour in the chicken broth and white wine (if using). Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is mostly tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
  6. Stir in the heavy cream, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Cook uncovered for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
  7. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is creamy.
  8. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the fresh parsley, dill, and basil. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
  9. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, you can brown the chicken in batches and reserve the browned bits in the pan before adding the onions.
  • If you skip the wine, substitute it with an equal amount of extra chicken broth.
  • Stir frequently during the last few minutes of cooking to prevent the orzo from sticking to the bottom of the pan.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookerykings.com/creamy-lemon-chicken-orzo-with-fresh-herbs/