Spoon Simple
Creamy Lemon Herb Chicken and Orzo Skillet
This one-skillet dish features tender chicken and orzo pasta bathed in a luscious lemon herb cream sauce. It's a flavorful and comforting meal that comes together quickly for a busy family evening.
Prep 15 min
Cook 25 min
Total 40 min
Serves 4
Ingredients
Step 1 — For the Skillet
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2.5 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh chives
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
Instructions
- 1
Sear Chicken
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Add chicken to the skillet and cook until browned on all sides and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- 2
Sauté Aromatics and Cook Orzo
Add the chopped onion to the same skillet and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant. Add the uncooked orzo and stir to coat in the residual oil.
- 3
Simmer Orzo
Pour in the chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed, stirring occasionally.
- 4
Make Cream Sauce
Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Stir gently to combine and cook for 2-3 minutes until heated through and the sauce has thickened slightly.
- 5
Finish and Serve
Stir in the fresh parsley and chives. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately directly from the skillet.
Nutrition per serving: 520 cal · 40g protein · 45g carbs · 20g fat · 3g fiber
For informational purposes only. Not medical or dietary advice. Verify ingredients for allergens, cooking times, and safe internal temperatures before serving.
