Creamy Chicken Orzo with Spinach and Lemon
A flavorful and creamy one-pan dish combining tender chicken, orzo, fresh spinach, and zesty lemon for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Olive Oil
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
Chicken
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- to taste Salt and black pepper
Shallot
- 1 minced shallot
Garlic
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
Orzo
- 1 cup orzo
Chicken Broth
- 2 cups chicken broth
Heavy Cream
- ½ cup heavy cream (or full-fat coconut milk for dairy-free)
Lemon Zest
- 1 lemon lemon zest
Lemon Juice
- 2-3 tablespoons lemon juice
Spinach
- 1 ½ cups chopped fresh baby spinach
Parmesan Cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh Basil or Parsley
- for garnish Fresh basil or parsley
Lemon Wedges
- for serving Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet. Season chicken with salt and pepper, sear until golden, then set aside.
- Add remaining olive oil and shallot to the skillet, cook until softened. Add garlic and cook briefly.
- Stir in orzo, cook for 1-2 minutes, then pour in chicken broth, cream, salt, and pepper. Simmer covered for 10-12 minutes until orzo is tender.
- Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, spinach, and Parmesan. Return chicken to skillet, simmer uncovered for 2-3 minutes until spinach wilts. Rest for 2-3 minutes before serving, garnished with herbs and lemon wedges.
Notes
Adjust lemon juice and seasoning to taste for best flavor.