One-Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken Orzo: 20-Min Easy Meal Recipe
A quick and flavorful one-pot meal featuring tender lemon garlic chicken thighs cooked with orzo pasta. This easy 20-minute recipe combines savory chicken, bright lemon juice, and aromatic garlic for a comforting dinner that requires minimal cleanup.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: One-Pot Cooking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Aromatics
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Pasta and Liquids
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup lemon juice
Seasonings and Garnish
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Heat Oil and Brown Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and cook until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from the pot and set aside.
- Sauté Onion: Add the chopped onion to the pot and cook until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- Add Garlic: Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to let it burn.
- Toast Orzo: Add the orzo pasta to the pot, stirring to coat it evenly with the oil and aromatics for about 1-2 minutes. This toasts the pasta slightly and enhances flavor.
- Add Broth and Lemon Juice: Pour in the chicken broth and lemon juice, and bring the mixture to a boil. This will cook the orzo and infuse the dish with bright citrus notes.
- Return Chicken: Return the browned chicken pieces to the pot, distributing them evenly among the orzo and liquid.
- Season and Simmer: Season everything with salt and black pepper. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer gently for 15-20 minutes until the orzo is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid, and the chicken is cooked through.
- Garnish and Serve: Stir in the chopped fresh parsley to add a fresh herbal note. Serve hot and enjoy your one-pot lemon garlic chicken orzo!
Notes
- Use chicken thighs for juicier meat; however, chicken breasts can be substituted if preferred.
- Adjust the lemon juice quantity to taste for a more or less tangy flavor.
- If you don’t have fresh parsley, dried parsley can be used, but add it earlier during cooking to hydrate.
- For a richer flavor, consider adding a splash of white wine along with the broth.
- Ensure the orzo is fully cooked but not mushy; cooking times may slightly vary depending on brand.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/4 recipe)
- Calories: 360 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: one-pot meal, lemon garlic chicken, orzo pasta, quick dinner, easy chicken recipe, Mediterranean chicken
