One-Pan Lemon Chicken Orzo | The Recipe Critic

One-Pan Lemon Chicken Orzo is a comforting, well-rounded meal! Tender, juicy chicken pieces are joined with orzo pasta in a bright lemon sauce, resulting in melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness! Your whole family will adore this tasty dinner!

This one-pan meal comes together so quickly! If you’re looking for more easy recipes with less mess, try these One-Pan Fajita Chicken and Veggies, One-Pan Southwest Blackened Cajun Chicken with Rice or this Chili Lime Chicken and Rice.

Lemon Chicken Orzo

Lemon chicken orzo is one of those dinners that you’ll want to make on repeat. To begin with, it’s really easy to make; it is all made in one pan. Additionally, it has the best textures and flavors. You will love the vibrant yet savory lemon flavor as well as the creaminess of the orzo (without any heavy cream!) combined with juicy pieces of chicken. As a result, this dish is a favorite with my family. Overall, it’s total comfort food without being overly heavy!

Ingredients in This One-Pan Dish

This lemon chicken orzo recipe takes simple ingredients and transforms them into a bright and savory masterpiece. From well-seasoned chicken pieces to hearty orzo and a sauce that bursts with citrusy goodness, each component makes this one-pan meal taste absolutely incredible. The exact measurements are in the recipe card.

• Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: Cut into pieces, these provide the main protein for the dish.
• Seasoning: The chicken is coated in basil, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper for a delicious flavor.
• Olive Oil: For searing the chicken.
• Butter: To sauté the shallots and garlic and toast the orzo.
• Shallots: Milder and sweeter than regular yellow or white onions, minced shallots work great in this recipe so as not to overwhelm the other flavors.
• Garlic: For extra savory flavor.
• Orzo Pasta: The base of this chicken dinner is orzo. You can find this short-cut pasta in the pasta aisle of your local grocery store.
• Chicken Broth: Helps cook the orzo and gives it a more robust flavor.
• Lemon: Lemon juice and lemon zest add the perfect amount of acidity, brightness, and fresh flavor!
• Fresh Baby Spinach: Adds color and nutrients.
• Shredded Parmesan Cheese: To garnish the finished recipe and add salty cheesiness.

How to Make One-Pan Lemon Chicken Orzo

This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights because it requires minimal hands-on time and allows you to cook everything conveniently in one pan. As it all simmers together, the flavors meld into a delightful, melt-in-your-mouth dish that everyone will love.

1. Prep the Chicken: Cube the chicken breasts into about 1 ½ inch to 2-inch pieces. Evenly coat the chicken with basil, oregano, paprika, salt and pepper.
2. Cook the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes. It should be mostly cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet.
3. Cook the Pasta: Add the butter, shallot, and garlic to the skillet and sauté for 2 minutes. Add the orzo to the skillet, constantly stirring and tossing, until you get an even, light golden brown toast.
4. Continue to Cook: Pour in the chicken broth, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Reduce the heat to medium and stir occasionally to evenly cook the orzo without letting it stick to the skillet.
5. Add the Chicken and Spinach: Once you cook the orzo through, add the chicken and spinach to the skillet. Stir the mixture and continue cooking until the spinach wilts and the chicken is completely cooked through.
6. Garnish and Serve: Garnish with lemon slices and parmesan cheese and enjoy!

More One-Pan Chicken Dinners

If you’re looking for more easy, one-pan chicken dinners, we’ve got you covered! Here are some of my favorite chicken recipes that cook up quickly and my family will gladly eat. They’re all so simple, yet so tasty!