One-Pot Lemon Chicken and Orzo with Spinach
In short: Seared chicken thighs and orzo cook in one pan in lemony garlic stock, with spinach and Parmesan stirred in at the end. Dinner in 40 minutes. It takes about 40 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Total
- 40 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 570 kcal
Orzo is a rice-shaped pasta that cooks in the same pan as the chicken and thickens the stock into a creamy sauce, without any cream. Searing the chicken first builds flavor, and the pasta absorbs it as it simmers. Lemon zest and juice, garlic and a handful of baby spinach keep the dish fresh. Everything is done in about 40 minutes, with one pan to wash.
Instructions
- Season the chicken with half the salt and the pepper. Heat the oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat and brown the chicken for 4 minutes per side. Move it to a plate.
- Lower the heat to medium. Cook the onion for 4 minutes until soft, then add the garlic for 30 seconds.
- Stir in the orzo and cook for 1 minute to toast it lightly. Add the stock, lemon zest, oregano and the remaining salt, and scrape up the browned bits.
- Return the chicken to the pan and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook over low heat for 12 to 14 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the orzo is nearly tender and the chicken reads 74°C (165°F).
- Uncover, add the spinach and lemon juice and stir until the spinach wilts and the sauce is creamy, about 2 minutes.
- Stir in the Parmesan, taste for salt and serve with dill.
Tips
- Stir the orzo now and then, because it settles and sticks to the bottom. If the pan looks dry before the pasta is tender, add a splash of hot stock or water.
- To use chicken breast, cut it into chunks and return it to the pan after the pasta has simmered for 6 minutes.
Questions and answers
Can I use rice instead of orzo?
Yes. Use 200 g (1 cup) of long-grain rice and 420 ml (1 3/4 cups) of stock, and cook covered for 18 minutes before adding the spinach.
Can I make lemon chicken orzo dairy-free?
Skip the Parmesan and add a spoonful of olive oil and an extra squeeze of lemon. The dish is still creamy from the pasta starch.
How do I reheat chicken and orzo?
Orzo keeps absorbing liquid as it sits, so add a splash of stock or water and reheat in a covered pan over low heat.
How long does it take to make One-Pot Lemon Chicken and Orzo with Spinach?
About 40 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 30 min of cooking.
How many calories are in One-Pot Lemon Chicken and Orzo with Spinach?
About 570 kcal per serving, with 47 g of protein, 49 g of carbohydrates and 21 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 570 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 47 g |
| Carbohydrates | 49 g |
| Fat | 21 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 1450 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
