Experience a balanced, comforting meal with this Easy One Pot Lemon Chicken Orzo. By simmering tender chicken and pasta together in a single vessel, the starch from the orzo creates a natural, velvety sauce without the need for heavy cream. Infused with bright citrus and aromatic garlic, this restaurant-quality dish is efficient, flavorful, and perfect for a quick, wholesome dinner that minimizes cleanup while maximizing savory depth.
1 lb Chicken Breast, cubed into 1-inch pieces
1 cup Dry Orzo Pasta
3 cups Low-sodium Chicken Broth
1/4 cup Freshly squeezed Lemon Juice
1 tbsp Extra virgin Olive Oil
3 cloves Garlic, minced
Kosher salt and black pepper to taste
Place a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat and add olive oil.
Once the oil is shimmering, add the chicken pieces and brown them on all sides for about 5 minutes until a golden crust develops.
Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Pour in the chicken broth and stir to deglaze the bottom of the pot, incorporating all the browned bits.
Stir in the dry orzo pasta.
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
Continue to simmer, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente and the liquid has significantly reduced to a creamy sauce, approximately 15-20 minutes.
Remove from heat and stir in the fresh lemon juice.
Season with salt and pepper to taste before serving.
Ensure you maintain a gentle simmer rather than a rolling boil to keep the chicken tender and prevent the pasta from becoming mushy. If the sauce becomes too thick before the pasta is cooked, add a splash of warm water or additional broth.
Find it online: https://kindeat.com/easy-one-pot-lemon-chicken-orzo/