Lemon Rooster and Orzo - The Keep At Residence Chef

With contemporary, vibrant lemon and herbs, this one-pot meal is our favourite technique to efficiently pull off a home-cooked meal in the course of the busy workweek. This straightforward 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? Strive our straightforward and scrumptious One Pot Italian Chicken Orzo.

Why Our Recipe

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

Orzo pasta elevates this easy dish and pairs properly with the lemon hen, conserving issues attention-grabbing so that you don’t should fall again on boring, boiled pasta.

Ingredient Notes

Ingredients used to make Lemon Chicken & Orzo.

Rooster Breasts: It’s also possible to use boneless thighs if you happen to choose darker meat. Simply make sure that to chop them into bite-size items and trim off any fats.
Olive Oil: Substitute with any impartial cooking oil, corresponding to vegetable or canola oil.
Rooster Broth: Utilizing a low-sodium possibility permits you to greatest management the flavour. It’s an amazing chef tip.
Lemon Juice: Bottled lemon juice works properly and retains prep to a minimal, however freshly squeezed all the time has the most effective taste.
Orzo: This short-cut pasta resembles rice and is discovered within the pasta aisle in a field or plastic container. Test the cooking time in your bundle for the most effective outcomes.
Parmesan Cheese: Freshly shredded or grated Parmesan all the time melts the most effective.

Rooster Choices

Rotisserie Rooster: If you happen to’re in a rush, rotisserie hen is a unbelievable time-saver. Since rotisserie chickens are normally 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 couple of minutes of cooking.

Leftover Rooster: Obtained leftover hen from a earlier meal? Whether or not it’s grilled, baked, or roasted, you’ll be able to simply shred it and add it to your soup. This can be a nice technique to reduce waste and provides new life to leftovers.

Rooster Thighs: If you happen to 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 prepare dinner them simply as you’d hen breasts.

Add Veggies

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

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

When so as to add in…

Closeup of Lemon Chicken & Orzo in a pot.

The Proper Pan

Dimension Issues: Go for a big, deep skillet (12 inches or larger). It provides the hen and orzo loads of room to prepare dinner evenly and retains the whole lot from spilling out while 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 attraction.

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 via.

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