Lemon Herb Chicken Orzo Skillet (Printable View)

Tender chicken, orzo pasta, and green peas simmered in a bright lemon herb sauce. A simple, elegant one-pan meal.

# What You 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

# How To Make It:

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

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pan so you spend less time cleaning up and more time enjoying dinner
  • The lemon and fresh herbs make it taste like something from a restaurant but it comes together in under an hour
02 -
  • The sauce will continue thickening as it sits off the heat, so do not worry if it looks slightly looser than you want right at the end
  • Orzo goes from perfectly cooked to mushy fast so start checking at the 5 minute mark during that final uncovered cook
03 -
  • Grate your lemon zest before juicing so you do not accidentally grate your fingers on a squeezed half
  • Warm your broth slightly in the microwave before adding it so the orzo keeps cooking at an even pace
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