Lemon Hen and Orzo - The Keep At Residence Chef

With contemporary, vivid lemon and herbs, this one-pot meal is our favourite approach to efficiently pull off a home-cooked meal through the busy workweek. This simple recipe covers your whole bases—prepared in simply 45 minutes and tremendous flavorful whereas nonetheless being a lighter possibility that doesn’t go away you feeling weighed down.

Love Orzo previous as a lot as we do? Attempt our simple and scrumptious One Pot Italian Chicken Orzo.

Why Our Recipe

A one-pot meal that’s fast and straightforward to get on the desk in about 45 minutes.
Recent lemon and herbs loosen up this simple hen dish.
Orzo is a straightforward and filling different to your customary pasta dish.

Orzo pasta elevates this easy dish and pairs nicely with the lemon hen, maintaining issues fascinating so that you don’t should fall again on boring, boiled pasta.

Ingredient Notes

Ingredients used to make Lemon Chicken & Orzo.

Hen Breasts: It’s also possible to use boneless thighs in the event you choose darker meat. Simply be certain that to chop them into bite-size items and trim off any fats.
Olive Oil: Substitute with any impartial cooking oil, reminiscent of vegetable or canola oil.
Hen Broth: Utilizing a low-sodium possibility lets you greatest management the flavour. It’s a fantastic chef tip.
Lemon Juice: Bottled lemon juice works nicely and retains prep to a minimal, however freshly squeezed at all times has the perfect taste.
Orzo: This short-cut pasta resembles rice and is discovered within the pasta aisle in a field or plastic container. Verify the cooking time in your package deal for the perfect outcomes.
Parmesan Cheese: Freshly shredded or grated Parmesan at all times melts the perfect.

Hen Choices

Rotisserie Hen: For those who’re in a rush, rotisserie hen is a implausible time-saver. Since rotisserie chickens are often a loss chief for grocery shops, it’s a money-saver too! Merely shred about 1 1/2 to 2 cups of pre-cooked hen and stir it in throughout the previous few minutes of cooking.

Leftover Hen: Acquired leftover hen from a earlier meal? Whether or not it’s grilled, baked, or roasted, you possibly can simply shred it and add it to your soup. It is a nice approach to reduce waste and provides new life to leftovers.

Hen Thighs: For those who choose darkish meat, boneless hen thighs are a tasty different to hen breasts. They add a richer taste to the soup and have a tendency to remain extra tender and juicy. Sear and cook dinner them simply as you’ll hen breasts.

Add Veggies

Simply add some colour to this one-pot dish by incorporating contemporary greens.

Asparagus, broccoli, and inexperienced beans are all nice choices that pair nicely with lemon, basil, and parmesan.

When so as to add in…

Closeup of Lemon Chicken & Orzo in a pot.

The Proper Pan

Measurement Issues: Go for a big, deep skillet (12 inches or greater). It offers the hen and orzo loads of room to cook dinner evenly and retains all the pieces from spilling out once you stir.

Lid Required: You’ll want a lid to cowl the pan whereas the orzo cooks. In case your skillet doesn’t have one, no worries—simply cowl it tightly with foil.

No skillet? No downside! A large, shallow Dutch oven or braiser works like a appeal.

Storage & Reheating Directions

Refrigerate leftovers in an hermetic container for as much as 3 days.

To freeze, let the dish cool utterly, then retailer it in parts in a freezer-safe container for as much as 2 months. That within the fridge in a single day earlier than reheating.

Reheat on the stovetop in a skillet over medium-low warmth, stirring often, till warmed by way of.

Reheat within the microwave in parts in 30-second increments, stirring in between every, till warmed by way of.