Description
Mediterranean-inspired one pot lemon chicken orzo brings zesty comfort to weeknight dinners. Savory chicken, tender orzo, and bright citrus create a simple yet satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs (680 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 large shallots, diced
- 2 tbsps all-purpose flour
- 3 cups chicken stock
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1 bunch kale, stems removed and leaves torn into bite-sized pieces
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- ⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1.5 tsps Dijon mustard
- 2 tsps chopped fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Seasoning: Generously coat chicken thighs with salt and pepper, ensuring comprehensive flavor distribution.
- Searing: Melt butter in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown chicken thighs until a golden, caramelized exterior develops, cooking thoroughly. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Aromatics: In the same pot, sauté shallots until translucent. Add garlic, thyme, and rosemary, releasing their fragrant essence. Sprinkle flour and stir to create a roux-like base.
- Liquid Integration: Pour chicken stock and Dijon mustard, scraping the pot’s bottom to incorporate flavorful browned bits. Introduce orzo pasta, stirring to coat with the liquid mixture.
- Simmering: Reduce heat and allow orzo to cook, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. When pasta is nearly tender, fold in kale and watch it gently wilt into the creamy base.
- Finishing Touches: Stir in Parmesan, heavy cream, lemon juice, and zest, creating a vibrant, luxurious sauce. Return chicken to the pot, warming it through and allowing flavors to meld.
- Serving: Plate the one-pot dish, optionally garnishing with additional Parmesan cheese for extra richness.
Notes
- Master Chicken Searing: Pat chicken thighs completely dry before seasoning to achieve a perfect golden-brown crust and enhance caramelization without steaming the meat.
- Prevent Orzo Sticking: Stir pasta frequently and maintain gentle heat to avoid clumping, ensuring each grain cooks evenly and absorbs the luxurious sauce without becoming gummy.
- Customize Greens Wisely: Substitute kale with spinach or Swiss chard for varied nutrition and texture, adding leafy greens in the final cooking minutes to preserve vibrant color and nutritional integrity.
- Adapt for Dietary Needs: Replace heavy cream with coconut milk for a dairy-free version, swap chicken for plant-based protein like tofu, or use gluten-free orzo to accommodate different dietary restrictions while maintaining the dish’s rich, comforting essence.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg