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Easy Creamy One-Pot Lemon Chicken Orzo with Spinach

one-pot lemon chicken orzo - featured image
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A quick and comforting one-pot meal combining tender chicken, creamy lemon sauce, orzo pasta, and fresh spinach. Perfect for busy weeknights with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup orzo pasta
  • 4 cups fresh spinach (or baby kale/chard as substitute)
  • 3 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • Juice and zest of 1 lemon
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 4 oz cream cheese (or Greek yogurt for lighter option)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: fresh parsley or dill for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prep the Ingredients (5-10 minutes): Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces, finely chop the onion and garlic, zest and juice the lemon, and rinse the spinach if needed.
  2. Sauté the Chicken (7-8 minutes): Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden on the outside but not fully cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. Sauté Aromatics (3 minutes): In the same pan, add another drizzle of olive oil if needed. Toss in chopped onion and garlic; cook until softened and fragrant but not browned.
  4. Add Orzo and Liquids (2 minutes): Stir the dry orzo into the pan with the onions and garlic. Toast it lightly for a minute or two, then pour in the chicken broth, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Stir well to combine.
  5. Simmer Covered (10-12 minutes): Return the chicken to the pan, nestling it into the liquid. Cover with a lid and let everything simmer gently. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. The orzo will absorb the broth and cook tenderly.
  6. Finish with Cream Cheese and Spinach (3-5 minutes): Once the orzo is tender and liquid mostly absorbed, lower the heat. Stir in cream cheese and Parmesan until melted and creamy. Add the fresh spinach and cook just until wilted. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
  7. Serve Warm: Spoon onto plates, garnish with optional fresh herbs if desired, and enjoy immediately.

Notes

Cut chicken into uniform pieces for even cooking. Toast orzo lightly before adding liquid for richer flavor. Simmer gently to prevent liquid from evaporating too fast. Add spinach at the end to keep it bright and fresh. Soak pan immediately after cooking for easier cleanup. If liquid absorbs too quickly, add a splash more broth or water and continue cooking briefly.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pot, lemon chicken, orzo, spinach, quick dinner, creamy, easy recipe, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://forkifyfun.com/easy-creamy-one-pot-lemon-chicken-orzo-with-spinach-recipe-for-quick-dinners/