One-Pot Lemon Orzo Chicken (Printable)

A comforting one-pot dish of chicken, orzo, spinach, and fresh lemon zest for a perfect spring meal.

# Ingredient list:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces

→ Pasta & Grains

02 - 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta, uncooked

→ Vegetables & Greens

03 - 3 cups fresh baby spinach
04 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - Zest and juice of 1 large lemon

→ Liquids

07 - 3 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
08 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Dairy (optional)

09 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

→ Spices & Seasonings

10 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
11 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
12 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
13 - Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes, optional

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden and just cooked through, about 5 to 6 minutes. Remove chicken to a plate and set aside.
02 - In the same pot, add onion and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
03 - Add orzo and oregano, stirring to coat in the oil and aromatics for about 1 minute.
04 - Pour in chicken broth and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed, about 10 to 12 minutes.
05 - Return cooked chicken to the pot. Add spinach, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Stir until spinach is wilted and everything is well combined. If desired, stir in Parmesan cheese for a creamier finish.
06 - Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed. Serve hot, garnished with extra lemon zest or Parmesan.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pot, which means you'll actually want to make dinner on a busy night instead of ordering pizza again.
  • The lemon keeps things light and fresh, so you don't feel weighed down even though it's genuinely filling and satisfying.
  • It tastes like you spent way more time cooking than you actually did.
02 -
  • Don't be tempted to walk away while the orzo simmers; it needs occasional stirring so it doesn't stick to the bottom and scorch.
  • The spinach will seem like too much until it hits the heat, then it collapses into almost nothing—this is normal and exactly what you want.
03 -
  • Buy pre-cut chicken if you're short on time—nobody's judging, and it still tastes homemade.
  • Zest your lemon before you juice it, and add the zest right at the end so it stays bright and doesn't cook into oblivion.
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