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Creamy Lemon Chicken Orzo Recipe

Creamy Lemon Chicken Orzo Recipe

Silky, lemony orzo studded with tender chicken and wilted spinach, all in a bright, creamy sauce. A cozy one-pan dinner in under an hour.
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Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients
 

Main Ingredients

  • 1.5 tbsp olive oil
  • 1.25 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
  • 1 tsp kosher salt plus more to taste
  • 0.5 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes optional
  • 1.5 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 tsp minced garlic about 4 cloves
  • 1.25 cup orzo pasta dry
  • 0.25 cup dry white wine optional, for deglazing
  • 3.25 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 0.67 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tsp lemon zest from 1–2 lemons
  • 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 0.75 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
  • 3 cup baby spinach loosely packed
  • 0.25 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard optional, for depth

Instructions

Preparation Steps

  • Season chicken with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
  • Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high. Sear chicken until golden, 4–5 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
  • Lower heat to medium. Melt butter in the same pan. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  • Add orzo and toast, stirring, until lightly nutty, 1–2 minutes.
  • Pour in white wine to deglaze. Scrape up browned bits and simmer until mostly reduced, 1–2 minutes.
  • Stir in chicken broth. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until orzo is just tender, 8–10 minutes.
  • Return chicken and any juices to the pan. Add heavy cream and Dijon. Simmer until slightly thickened and chicken is cooked through, 3–4 minutes.
  • Fold in lemon zest, lemon juice, and Parmesan. Stir until smooth and creamy.
  • Add spinach and wilt gently, 1 minute. Taste and adjust salt or lemon to preference.
  • Finish with parsley. Let rest 2 minutes to thicken, then serve warm.

Notes

Swap spinach with thawed peas or chopped kale. For extra brightness, serve with lemon wedges and a dusting of more Parmesan. Leftovers keep up to 3 days chilled; stir in a splash of broth when reheating to loosen the sauce.
This recipe is an original creation inspired by classic Creamy Lemon Chicken Orzo Recipe flavors. All ingredient ratios and instructions are independently developed.