Description
This comforting Lemon Chicken Orzo recipe combines tender shredded chicken with creamy, lemon-infused orzo pasta and fresh spinach. Cooked on the stovetop, it is a quick, flavorful meal perfect for weeknights that brings together bright citrus notes with savory parmesan and hearty chicken in a creamy, satisfying dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 cups shredded cooked or rotisserie chicken
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cups packed fresh baby spinach
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Sauté the onion: Heat olive oil and butter in a pot over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Toast the orzo and add aromatics: Stir in minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and uncooked orzo. Cook for 2-3 minutes while stirring often to lightly toast the orzo and infuse it with flavor.
- Add liquids and simmer: Pour in chicken broth, lemon juice, and heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a gentle bubble, then reduce heat to medium or medium-low. Cook uncovered for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until the orzo is tender and the sauce slightly thickens without boiling vigorously or reducing too much.
- Incorporate the chicken: Stir shredded cooked chicken into the pot to warm through evenly.
- Finish with cheese and spinach: Remove the pot from heat and stir in freshly grated parmesan and fresh baby spinach. Cover the pot and let sit for 3-5 minutes to allow the spinach to wilt and the sauce to thicken further. Season with salt and pepper to taste before serving immediately.
Notes
- Keep an eye on the heat to ensure the liquid simmers gently, not boils vigorously, to avoid over-reduction before orzo cooks.
- Use rotisserie chicken for convenience or freshly cooked shredded chicken for best results.
- If the sauce is too thick after resting, loosen it with a splash of chicken broth or cream before serving.
- Freshly grated parmesan adds better melt and flavor than pre-grated cheese.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half or whole milk for heavy cream, though the dish will be less rich.
