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Creamy Lemon Chicken Orzo

This creamy lemon chicken orzo is the ultimate comfort food, packed with tender orzo, succulent chicken, and vibrant spinach in a rich lemon-Parmesan sauce. Perfect for Thanksgiving or any weeknight.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Side Dish
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Sauté Aromatics
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 medium onion chopped
Toast Orzo & Infuse Flavor
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
Simmer & Thicken
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 cup heavy/whipping cream
Add Chicken
  • 2 cups shredded cooked/rotisserie chicken
Finish & Serve
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups fresh baby spinach packed
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Equipment

  • Large pot or dutch oven

Method
 

Sauté Aromatics
  1. Add the olive oil, butter, and chopped onion to a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the onion is softened and translucent.
Toast Orzo & Infuse Flavor
  1. Add the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and uncooked orzo pasta to the pot. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly. This crucial step toasts the orzo, enhancing its nutty flavor and helping it maintain its texture, while also infusing the pasta with the aromatics.
Simmer & Thicken
  1. Pour in the chicken broth, lemon juice, and heavy cream. Stir well and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Continue to cook, uncovered, for approximately 10 minutes, stirring fairly often. Reduce the heat to medium or medium-low as needed to maintain a gentle bubble. Avoid a vigorous boil, which can cause the liquid to reduce too quickly before the orzo is cooked through. The goal is for the orzo to absorb the liquid and become tender, creating a sauce.
Add Chicken
  1. Stir in the shredded cooked chicken, ensuring it's heated through.
Finish & Serve
  1. Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and the fresh baby spinach. Cover the pot and let it sit for 3-5 minutes. The residual heat will wilt the spinach perfectly and allow the Parmesan to melt, thickening the sauce to a creamy consistency. Season generously with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.

Notes

This creamy lemon chicken orzo is a delicious and easy one-pot meal perfect for any occasion. Remember to toast the orzo for maximum flavor and texture, and avoid boiling the sauce rapidly to ensure proper consistency. For best results, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese.