Lemon Garlic Chicken Orzo with Spinach
A bright and healthy one-pan dinner featuring tender chicken, zesty lemon, aromatic garlic, creamy orzo, and fresh spinach. Ready in under an hour, this meal balances protein, carbs, and greens for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: dinner
- Method: one-pan
- Cuisine: american
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 large lemon, zested and juiced
- 1 cup dry orzo pasta
- 2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 3 cups baby spinach
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
1. Pat chicken dry and season with salt, pepper, and lemon zest.
2. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Cook chicken 4-5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through, then rest covered.
4. Add remaining oil to skillet over medium heat and sauté garlic 30 seconds until fragrant.
5. Stir in lemon zest and red pepper flakes.
6. Add orzo and toast 1-2 minutes, stirring.
7. Pour in broth and half the lemon juice, bring to simmer, cover halfway, and cook 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
8. Add spinach and remaining parmesan, stir until wilted and creamy.
9. Slice chicken and return to skillet, fold into orzo mixture.
10. Adjust seasoning with lemon juice, salt, and pepper, garnish with parsley and extra parmesan.
Notes
For extra creaminess, stir in a splash of heavy cream or a dollop of Greek yogurt before serving. Feel free to substitute kale for spinach or use chicken thighs for extra flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Unsaturated Fat: 8
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 30
- Cholesterol: 80
Find it online: https://paulakitchen.com/lemon-garlic-chicken-orzo-with-spinach/