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Creamy One-Pot Chicken Orzo Recipe Easy Roasted Lemon Parmesan Meal

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A creamy one-pot chicken orzo dish with roasted lemon and Parmesan that is quick, easy, and comforting—perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 12 oz / 340 g), cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup (170 g) orzo pasta
  • 1 large lemon, thinly sliced
  • ¾ cup (75 g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 3 cups (720 ml) low-sodium chicken broth
  • ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream or half-and-half (can substitute with coconut milk for dairy-free)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or basil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Prep the Ingredients (5-10 minutes): Slice the lemon thinly, chop the onion and garlic, and cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Grate the Parmesan and set aside.
  2. Roast the Lemon (8-10 minutes): Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in your large skillet over medium heat. Add lemon slices and cook until golden and fragrant, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
  3. Sauté Chicken and Aromatics (8-10 minutes): Add the remaining olive oil to the skillet. Toss in the chicken pieces, seasoning lightly with salt and pepper. Cook until golden on the outside but not fully cooked through, about 5-6 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside. In the same pan, sauté onion until translucent (around 3 minutes), then add garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Cook Orzo (10 minutes): Pour the orzo into the skillet with onions and garlic, stirring to coat it in the flavorful oils. Slowly add chicken broth, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Bring to a simmer and cook until the orzo is tender but still has a slight bite, about 8-10 minutes. Add more broth if needed to keep it from drying out.
  5. Finish the Dish (5 minutes): Return the chicken and roasted lemon slices to the skillet. Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Cook gently until the sauce thickens and the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature 165°F/74°C). Remove from heat and fold in chopped fresh herbs.
  6. Season and Serve: Taste for seasoning and adjust salt and pepper if needed. Spoon onto plates, making sure each serving gets some of the roasted lemon and Parmesan.

Notes

Keep an eye on the orzo during cooking to prevent sticking; add broth incrementally if it dries out. Use fresh Parmesan for best flavor and meltability. Roast lemon slices before cooking to add subtle caramelized sweetness. Cook on low heat when adding cream and cheese to avoid sauce splitting.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pot meal, chicken orzo, creamy chicken pasta, roasted lemon, Parmesan, easy dinner, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://magnetmeal.com/creamy-one-pot-chicken-orzo-recipe-easy-roasted-lemon-parmesan-meal/