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    Home » Casseroles

    Lemon Chicken with Orzo

    Posted: Jun 25, 2021 · Updated: Aug 2, 2021 by Tonje

    1642 shares
    Jump to Recipe
    A bowl of lemon chicken with orzo.
    Lemon orzo chicken in a cast iron pan, and in a bowl.

    This mouthwatering lemon chicken with orzo, spinach and tomatoes is a simple and healthy skillet meal that you can make in only 20 minutes. Perfect for quick and easy dinners!

    A bowl of lemon chicken with orzo and tomatoes, with a cast iron skillet in the background.
    Jump to:
    • Why you'll love it
    • What is orzo?
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Top tips
    • Serving suggestions
    • Variations
    • Leftovers
    • Frequently asked questions
    • You might also like these recipes
    • Recipe

    This post may contain affiliate links. Read more about it in the privacy policy.

    Chicken orzo pasta is a fantastic one pan weeknight dinner with Mediterranean flavors. It's so easy to make, easy to customize, and allows you to cook a homemade dinner from scratch with minimal dishes to clean.

    The chicken is cooked first, then the orzo. This allows both ingredients to be cooked to perfection without making any compromises.

    Why you'll love it

    • Easy one pan meal
    • Make it in only 20 minutes for a quick and easy weeknight dinner
    • Stores really well, and perfect for meal prep
    • Healthy dinner with protein, a starch and vegetables
    • Easy to customize to suit your preferences
    • Tastes fantastic

    What is orzo?

    Orzo is pasta that is shaped like rice. It's made with the same ingredients as other pasta types like spaghetti and penne, but is unique in that each individual piece is the size of a grain.

    The size and shape of orzo makes it excellent to use in salads, casseroles and skillet meals. It can also be used instead of rice in many dishes.

    Ingredients

    Chicken breasts: Or boneless skinless chicken thighs. If you're using frozen chicken, you will have to defrost it beforehand.

    Garlic, lemon, seasoning: Add flavor to the dish.

    Spinach + tomatoes: Fresh in-season vegetables are best.

    Orzo: Amazing short grain type of pasta.

    Olive oil: You can also use vegetable oil or butter instead.

    Parmesan: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese adds a cheesy texture. Omit to make it dairy free.

    Chicken broth: Or vegetable stock, bone broth or beef stock. Alternatively, you can use water instead.

    The ingredients needed to make this recipe.

    Instructions

    You can find full instructions + ingredient measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of this page

    One: Sauté sliced chicken in olive oil and seasoning on medium heat until the chicken is almost, or barely, cooked. Set the chicken to the side.

    Two: Add diced garlic and orzo to the skillet. Sauté for about a minute.

    Three: Add chicken stock. Allow the orzo to simmer on medium heat for about 7 minutes, or until it's soft. Most of the liquid should have been absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent the grains from sticking to the bottom of the pan.

    Four: Add Parmesan, halved cherry tomatoes, washed spinach, lemon juice and the cooked chicken to the skillet. Stir to combine, and leave the dish to simmer for about a minute, or until the spinach has wilted. Make sure that the chicken has cooked through before you take the pan off the heat.

    Step by step showing how to make this recipe.

    Top tips

    • Be careful not to cook the ingredients on a really high heat, or they might burn. Everything can be cooked on medium temperature.
    • Stir the orzo occasionally to ensure that it cooks evenly.
    • Season the dish to taste before you serve it.
    • You can use a meat thermometer to ensure that the chicken is cooked through. Or, you can cut the thickest part of the chicken in half, and make sure that the meat is white throughout with no pink.
    • Chicken is always more tender if you slice it against the grain.
    • Make sure to defrost frozen chicken thoroughly before use to ensure an even cooking result.
    • Top your lemon chicken orzo with freshly ground black pepper, additional Parmesan, crumbled feta cheese or freshly chopped basil for an extra burst of flavor.

    Serving suggestions

    This one skillet chicken dinner is best served as an entree. The dish is a complete meal in itself, but I often like to add one or two simple side dishes as accompaniments. Here are some of my favorite recipes to pair lemon orzo chicken with:

    • Roasted Green Beans
    • Tomato and Cucumber Salad
    • Air Fryer Garlic Bread
    • Olive Salad
    • Air Fryer Kale Chips
    • Easy Homemade Croutons
    A cast iron skillet with lemon, orzo, chicken, spinach and tomatoes.

    Variations

    Gluten free: You can try to find gluten free orzo. Alternatively, you can replace the orzo with rice. Keep in mind that rice will take longer to cook, and you might need a little extra chicken stock.

    Other vegetables: You can substitute the spinach and tomatoes with other vegetables, or add more veggies to the dish. Try adding artichoke hearts, olives, diced peppers, kale, diced eggplant or zucchini.

    Vegetarian: You can replace the chicken with chickpeas, butter beans or a vegetarian chicken substitute. Make sure to omit the Parmesan, or use a vegetarian friendly brand of Parmesan.

    Other seasoning: You can substitute the Italian seasoning with the herbs or spices of your choice. You can also add chopped fresh herbs to the finished dish. Try adding parsley, basil or a combination of dried spices.

    Spicy: If you want to bring some spice to the dish, you can add some red pepper flakes when adding garlic and orzo.

    Leftovers

    This one skillet lemon chicken with orzo is perfect for meal prep. Store leftovers in a sealed container in a refrigerator for up to 3 days.

    The dish can be served cold, almost as a chicken orzo salad, or you can reheat it on the stove or in a microwave.

    As orzo tends to absorb any liquid in the dish, I recommend adding a splash of water when you reheat it.

    Close up of a bowl with chicken, orzo, spinach and tomatoes.

    Frequently asked questions

    What food goes with lemon chicken?

    Lemon chicken pairs really well with salad, rice or pasta. I love to serve it with orzo, or any other kind of creamy pasta.

    Can you cook orzo and chicken in the same pan?

    Absolutely! I recommend cooking them one at a time, and assemble in the end. This way, you can ensure that they both cook right.

    Can you make lemon chicken with bottled lemon juice?

    Yes. You can make lemon chicken with either bottled or freshly squeezed lemon juice.

    You might also like these recipes

    • Chicken and Couscous Skillet
    • Lemon Chicken Pasta
    • Crockpot Lemon Chicken
    • Instant Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken
    • Sausage and Cabbage Skillet
    • Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet

    If you make this recipe, make sure to post a photo to Instagram with #hintofhealthy!

    Recipe

    A bowl of lemon chicken with orzo.

    Lemon Chicken with Orzo

    This one pot lemon chicken with orzo skillet meal is perfect for easy weeknight dinners. Chicken, orzo and vegetables are cooked together in one pan to make a simple, yet delicious meal.
    4.59 from 12 votes
    Created by: Tonje
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    Prep Time 3 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Course Dinner, Main Course
    Cuisine International, Mediterranean
    Servings 2
    Calories 602 kcal

    Equipment

    • Cast Iron Pan
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
     
     

    • ½ pound chicken breasts
    • 1 cup orzo
    • 2 cups chicken stock
    • 1 ½ cups spinach
    • 1 cups diced cherry tomatoes
    • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
    • ½ lemon (juice only)
    • 3 garlic cloves
    • 1 teaspoon olive oil
    • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
    • ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

    Instructions
     

    • Slice the chicken breasts into b¼-inch thick pieces against the grain.
    • Sauté sliced chicken in olive oil and seasoning on medium heat until the chicken is almost, or barely, cooked.
    • Remove the chicken from the pan, and set it to the side.
    • Add diced garlic and dry orzo to the skillet. Sauté for about a minute.
    • Add chicken stock, and stir. Allow the orzo to simmer on medium heat for about 7 minutes, or until it's soft. Most of the liquid should have been absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent the grains from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
    • Add Parmesan, halved cherry tomatoes, washed spinach, lemon juice and the cooked chicken to the skillet. Stir to combine, and leave the dish to simmer for about a minute, or until the spinach has wilted.
    • Make sure that the chicken has cooked through before you take the pan off the heat.
    • Add additional salt and pepper to taste if needed, and serve.

    Video

    Nutrition

    Calories: 602kcalCarbohydrates: 74gProtein: 47gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 91mgSodium: 1279mgPotassium: 1214mgFiber: 5gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 2648IUVitamin C: 41mgCalcium: 230mgIron: 4mg
    Keyword chicken, orzo, pasta
    Tried this recipe?Mention @hintofhealthyfood or tag #hintofhealthy!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Irina

      December 03, 2019 at 7:52 pm

      5 stars
      I like this flavorful chicken cooked with orzo. I have never used orzo in this way. It is a great idea!

      Reply
      • Tonje

        December 03, 2019 at 7:57 pm

        I'm glad you like it! 🙂

        Reply
    2. Sapana

      December 03, 2019 at 8:17 pm

      5 stars
      What a delicious quick and easy weeknight dinner!

      Reply
      • Tonje

        December 03, 2019 at 8:25 pm

        Thank you! I'm happy you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    3. Jennifer

      December 03, 2019 at 9:07 pm

      5 stars
      I love creative chicken dishes and as a one-skillet meal, I'm digging this recipe! Making this for sure, soon!

      Reply
      • Tonje

        December 03, 2019 at 9:13 pm

        I hope you like it! It's such an easy weeknight meal, and a family winner in our house for sure.

        Reply
    4. kim

      December 03, 2019 at 9:25 pm

      5 stars
      What a fabulous dinner! I love how easy and tasty this is!

      Reply
      • Tonje

        December 04, 2019 at 6:33 am

        Oh I'm so happy you liked it! 🙂

        Reply
    5. Sara Welch

      December 03, 2019 at 9:25 pm

      Just what I was looking for for dinner tonight; looks amazing and easy too!

      Reply
      • Tonje

        December 04, 2019 at 6:33 am

        I can assure you it's both 🙂 Let me know how it turned out!

        Reply
    6. Becca

      February 08, 2021 at 10:17 pm

      5 stars
      This was so good, thank you!

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Tonje! I make easy and healthy everyday recipes that your family will love. Browse my recipe collection to discover new favorites, and make sure to let me know what you think!

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