Lemon Herb Chicken Orzo Skillet (Printable)

Tender chicken and orzo pasta in a bright lemon herb sauce with green peas. A light, satisfying one-pan Mediterranean meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (approximately 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
10 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
11 - 0.5 teaspoon salt
12 - 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

→ Fats

13 - 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

# How-To Steps:

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. Transfer 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 of 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 frequently, until orzo reaches al dente texture and most liquid is absorbed.
07 - Remove from heat and adjust seasoning as needed. Garnish with remaining fresh herbs and serve warm.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The entire meal comes together in one skillet, meaning minimal cleanup and maximum flavor development
  • Fresh lemon and herbs transform simple ingredients into something that tastes restaurant special
  • Leftovers reheat beautifully for lunch the next day, if they even last that long
02 -
  • Do not skip toasting the orzo in the oil before adding liquid, this step develops a nutty depth of flavor
  • The sauce will continue thickening after you remove it from heat, so do not let it dry out completely
  • Adding half the herbs during cooking and half at the end gives you layers of herbal flavor
03 -
  • Use a microplane or fine grater for the lemon zest to avoid bitter white pith
  • Pat the chicken dry before seasoning for better browning
  • Have all ingredients prepped before starting, the recipe moves quickly once the heat is on
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