Looking for an easy, fast, and healthy meal to bond with your weekly meal plan? Then look no further than One Pot Lemon Chicken Orzo. Lemon sauce is made out of lemon and creamy orzo pasta together with tender chicken to become one pot meal, which is easy to wash utensils after preparation.
Although originating in Italy, orzo has long been extremely popular in other cuisines, particularly those along the Mediterranean & the Middle East. You will read about the recipe step by step, discover the health benefits of the dish, and get some useful tips on how to cook a perfect One Pot Lemon Chicken Orzo.
Why One Pot Lemon Chicken Orzo?
Here is an easy weeknight meal that you would love: One Pot Lemon Chicken Orzo. It sure is a tasty pudding that requires little preparation of ingredients. That is why, when adding the lemon to the chicken, it forms a zesty and savory kind of taste, while the orzo pasta provides a creamy touch of the dish. Thus, it is perfect for people who would like to have a satisfying dinner but do not want to get too busy doing prep and cooking.
Ingredients
Before we dive into the recipe, let’s take a look at the ingredients you’ll need:
- 1 lb (450g) chicken breasts or thighs, diced
- 1 cup (200g) orzo pasta
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup (240ml) chicken broth
- 1 cup (240ml) water
- 1 lemon, juiced and zest
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy cream (optional for a creamier texture)
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Homemade Recipe
Saute the Chicken
In a large pot, warm up 2 tablespoons of olive oil until its shimmering or until the oil reaches medium heat. Finally, put the diced chicken and season it with salt, pepper, and oregano. Fry the chicken until it is golden brown. If you followed step 3, take out the chicken from the pot and place it aside.
Cook the Aromatics
It is then followed by the chopped onions and minced garlic, all in the same pot. Saute for a number of minutes for the onion to clear and for the aroma of the garlic to emit.
Add the Orzo
Add the orzo pasta and let it brown for 1 or 2 minutes or until lightly toasted. This will also reduce the intensity of heat in the food and add a nice layer of extra flavours to whichever dish it is used in.
Pour in the Liquids
Now, to the same pot, add the chicken broth, water, lemon juice, and the lemon zest. Stir well to combine.
Return the Chicken
In the same pot, add the chicken and brown it nicely. Cook until the mixture thickens slightly, and then add the water and simmer slightly before turning the heat down. Bring to the boil, stir in the orzo, cover the pot and simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until the orzo is fully cooked and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
Finish the Dish
To make this even richer, you can incorporate the heavy cream into the pudding. If needed, add more seasoning in the form of salt, pepper, or even lemon juice.
Serve
Take extra care to sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on the dish before serving and the dish should be best enjoyed hot.
Nutritional Value
| S.N | Nutrition | Value |
| 1. | Calories | 891kcal |
| 2. | Fat | 63g |
| 3. | Carbs | 52g |
| 4. | Protein | 35g |
Health Benefits of One Pot Lemon Chicken Orzo
Lean Protein: Protein, which is among the important nutrients for muscular tissue repair, is well provided by lean chicken.
Lemon: Lemon contains Vitamin C, which helps to improve the immunity of the body and is also helpful to the digestive system.
Orzo Pasta: Although it contains carbs that give energy, orzo is a smaller pasta, hence can help one to take less quantity than larger ones.
Low in Fat: From a nutritional point of view, this dish is not bad at all, and if you are prudent with the portions of the heavy cream, it will be rather beneficial to your heart.
Key Aspects of One Pot Lemon Chicken Orzo
Time-Saving: This is a very easy dish as there is very little preparation and cooking time required, but it is the kind of food that I like to eat when there isn’t time to cook and order a takeaway.
Versatility: the beauty of this recipe is that you can easily add vegetables such as spinach, peas, or asparagus for an extra nutritional value.
Family-Friendly: These foods are easy to prepare, mild in taste, and creamy, which will be loved by both children and adults.
One Pot Lemon Chicken Orzo is one of the many easy-to-prepare meals that are very delicious. It is easy to prepare since it is prepared in one pot and best for any night of the week thanks to the juicy lemon and tender chicken. This recipe is so easy that it doesn’t matter if you’re cooking for a family of four or just for yourself. It will soon become a favorite.
FAQs
1. Could they substitute another form of pasta?
Yes, indeed, orzo can be replaced with other forms of pasta that are small, like couscous or ditalini.
2. Is it possible to make this dish dairy-free?
Absolutely! Do not add the heavy cream at all or replace it with a non-dairy product like coconut cream.
3. What else could I include in this food to incorporate more vegetables?
You can add in spinach, peas, or broccoli at the last few minutes before the dish is ready.
