Lemon Herb Chicken Orzo Skillet (Print page)

Tender chicken and orzo in a zesty lemon herb sauce with peas, all cooked in one pan for easy cleanup.

# What You Need:

→ Proteins

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

→ Pasta & Grains

02 - 1 cup (6.3 oz) orzo pasta

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 cup (5 oz) 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 1/2 cups (20 fl oz) low-sodium chicken broth

→ Herbs & Seasonings

08 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
09 - 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped (or 1 tsp dried dill)
10 - 1 tsp dried oregano
11 - 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
12 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Fats

13 - 2 tbsp olive oil

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and sauté for 5–6 minutes until lightly golden. Remove chicken to a plate and set aside.
02 - In the same skillet, add chopped onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Stir in orzo, coating it in the oil and aromatics for 1–2 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 juices) to the skillet. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
06 - Add peas and lemon juice. Continue to cook uncovered for 5–8 minutes, stirring, until orzo is al dente and most of the liquid is absorbed.
07 - Remove from heat. Adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with remaining herbs. Serve warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything happens in one pan so cleanup is practically nonexistent
  • The lemon sauce creates this incredible creaminess without any actual cream
  • It reheats beautifully for tomorrow lunch and might actually taste better
02 -
  • The pasta will continue absorbing liquid after you turn off the heat so do not let it get too dry
  • Use a low sodium broth because the reduction concentrates the salt and you want control over the seasoning
  • Lemon zest contains the essential oils so do not skip it even if you think the juice is enough
03 -
  • Season your chicken more aggressively than you think you need to because some seasoning will end up in the liquid
  • Grate your lemon zest before juicing so you do not accidentally juice first and make zesting impossible
  • Let the skillet rest off the heat for five minutes before serving so the sauce can thicken slightly
Go Back