Creamy Lemon Parmesan Orzo with Chicken is a comforting and flavorful dish that combines tender chicken, creamy orzo pasta, and a zesty lemon sauce. This one-pot meal is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner and is sure to please the whole family!
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Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme)
- Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
Timing
Making Creamy Lemon Parmesan Orzo with Chicken takes about 10 minutes for preparation and 20-25 minutes for cooking.
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Chicken
- Heat Oil: In a large skillet or pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Season Chicken: Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Add them to the skillet and cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Step 2: Cook the Orzo
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add Orzo and Broth: Stir in the orzo pasta and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for about 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and most of the broth is absorbed.
Step 3: Make the Creamy Sauce
- Add Cream and Cheese: Once the orzo is cooked, stir in the heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, lemon juice, and dried thyme. Mix until well combined and creamy.
- Return Chicken: Add the cooked chicken back to the skillet and stir to combine. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until everything is heated through.
Step 4: Serve
- Garnish: Remove from heat and garnish with chopped fresh parsley.
- Enjoy: Serve your Creamy Lemon Parmesan Orzo with Chicken warm and enjoy this delicious, comforting dish!
Nutritional Information
Here’s a quick overview of the nutritional content of Creamy Lemon Parmesan Orzo with Chicken (per serving, based on 4 servings):
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 480 |
| Protein | 30g |
| Fat | 24g |
| Carbohydrates | 40g |
| Fiber | 2g |
| Sugar | 2g |
Tips for Customization
- Add Vegetables: Incorporate spinach, peas, or asparagus for added nutrition and color.
- Herb Variations: Experiment with fresh herbs like basil or dill for different flavor profiles.
- Spice It Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a bit of heat.
Conclusion
Creamy Lemon Parmesan Orzo with Chicken is a delightful and creamy dish that brings together the flavors of lemon and Parmesan with tender chicken and orzo pasta. Perfect for a quick and satisfying meal, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite. Enjoy this delightful recipe!
Creamy Lemon Parmesan Orzo with Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- • 1 tablespoon olive oil
- • Salt and pepper (to taste)
- • 1 cup orzo pasta
- • 4 cups chicken broth
- • 1 cup heavy cream
- • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- • Zest of 1 lemon
- • Juice of 1 lemon
- • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- • 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme)
- • Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat Oil: In a large skillet or pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Season Chicken: Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Add them to the skillet and cook for about 5–7 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add Orzo and Broth: Stir in the orzo pasta and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for about 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and most of the broth is absorbed.
- Add Cream and Cheese: Once the orzo is cooked, stir in the heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, lemon juice, and dried thyme. Mix until well combined and creamy.
- Return Chicken: Add the cooked chicken back to the skillet and stir to combine. Cook for an additional 2–3 minutes until everything is heated through.
- Garnish: Remove from heat and garnish with chopped fresh parsley.
- Enjoy: Serve your Creamy Lemon Parmesan Orzo with Chicken warm and enjoy this delicious, comforting dish!
Step 1: Cook the Chicken
Step 2: Cook the Orzo
Step 3: Make the Creamy Sauce
Step 4: Serve
