Lemon Herb Chicken Orzo Skillet (Printable)

Tender chicken and orzo pasta simmered in a zesty lemon sauce with fresh herbs and peas. A light, comforting one-pan Mediterranean meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 1.1 lbs), cut into bite-sized pieces

→ Pasta & Grains

02 - 1 cup orzo pasta

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 cup frozen green peas
04 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - Zest and juice of 1 large lemon

→ Liquids

07 - 2.5 cups low-sodium chicken broth

→ Herbs & Seasonings

08 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
09 - 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried dill)
10 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
11 - 0.5 teaspoon salt, or to taste
12 - 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

→ Fats

13 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat.
02 - Add chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and sauté for 5-6 minutes until lightly golden. Remove chicken to a plate and set aside.
03 - In the same skillet, add chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Stir in orzo, coating it in the oil and aromatics for 1-2 minutes.
05 - Pour in chicken broth and add oregano, lemon zest, and half the parsley and dill. Bring to a simmer.
06 - Return chicken and any accumulated juices to the skillet. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
07 - Add peas and lemon juice. Continue to cook uncovered for 5-8 minutes, stirring frequently, until orzo is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
08 - Remove from heat. Adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with remaining fresh herbs and serve warm.

# Helpful Hints:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one skillet so cleanup is basically nonexistent
  • The lemon and herbs make it taste fresh without being fussy
  • It comes together in under an hour but feels like something special
02 -
  • The orzo keeps absorbing liquid even after you turn off the heat, so do not let it get too dry
  • Do not skip the lemon zest, that is where all the aromatic lemon flavor comes from
  • If the pan looks too dry before the orzo is done, add a splash more broth or water
03 -
  • Use a microplane or fine grater for the lemon zest to avoid bitter white pith
  • Let the chicken come to room temperature before cooking so it sears evenly
  • Chop your herbs while the chicken is cooking to stay ahead of the game
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