This one pot creamy lemon orzo recipe is a perfect, easy weeknight meal. The bright lemon flavor with the pasta and chicken is so good!
Looking for a great way to utilize cooked chicken (like a rotisserie chicken!)? This pasta dish is so, so good! Creamy, cheesy, pasta perfection made start-to-finish in one pan. YESSSS!
Why this Recipe Makes a Perfect Weeknight Meal
- This one pot orzo dish uses every day fridge- and pantry-staples. No fancy or hard-to-find ingredients!
- It is hearty and filling…with very minimal effort!
- This recipe is a one pot wonder. Additionally, it comes together fast. If you have everything chopped and prepped, you’re looking at dinner in under 30 minutes!
- The flavors are incredible! Lemon + cream + pasta is a winning combination. And the bright lemon flavors in this orzo recipe with the creamy pasta are so yummy.
Key Ingredients
- Onion + Garlic: This recipe starts with cooking finely chopped onion and garlic in olive oil. These aromatics help build flavor. In a simple pasta dish like this, it’s likely that onion powder/garlic powder can be subbed for the fresh onion and garlic, if needed.
- Orzo: Use dry, uncooked orzo pasta. This small, rice-shaped pasta helps give this dish big-time creamy risotto vibes.
- Chicken broth: Chicken broth or chicken stock work equally well.
- Milk: use 1%, 2% or whole milk for the best results.
- Cream: Regular or heavy whipping cream can be used.
- Lemon juice and zest: Fresh lemon juice is preferred for bright, punchy flavor. Make sure to zest the lemons before juicing them!
- Parmesan cheese: This ingredient is stirred in at the end amplifying the creaminess of the pasta and adding a bit of needed saltiness.
- Chicken: Cooked, diced chicken is stirred in at the end of cooking. This recipe makes great use of rotisserie chicken meat, but any variety or recipe for cooked chicken can be used (leftovers of this lemon garlic grilled chicken would be delicious in this orzo dish).
- Spinach: Fresh spinach, stirred in with the chicken and lemon zest, adds a pop of color and a boost in heartiness and nutrition. Add more, or less, to taste.
This creamy lemon orzo will thicken as it cools. It is best served as soon as possible for optimal creaminess.
How to Make This One Pot Orzo Recipe
Ah, the beauty of one pot recipes. I love them so much! This one pot pasta recipe comes together so fast.
- Cook the onion and garlic in olive oil.
- Add the orzo and cook until lightly toasted and sizzling.
- Stir in the broth, milk, cream, lemon juice, salt and pepper.
- Cook at a gentle simmer (not a hard boil), stirring often, for 9 to 10 minutes until the orzo is al dente.
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted.
- Stir in the chicken, spinach and lemon zest.
- Serve warm, with a little extra Parm, if desired!
➡️ You can see from the picture below that after the orzo has finished cooking, there is still a bit of liquid left int he pan. This is how it should be. That extra creamy liquid helps create the sauce for the pasta so it isn’t dry.
A Few Additional Notes
- This is the pan I use and love for one pan recipes. While oven baking isn’t called for here, this pan is great because it can go from stove to oven, if needed.
- Even though this pasta recipe is best served immediately, the leftovers, albeit a bit less creamy, are still delicious. Drizzle a tiny bit of milk or cream over the leftovers before reheating and sprinkle the warmed up pasta with some Parmesan before digging in.
- This dish can easily be made meatless. Simply omit the chicken and use vegetable broth, if needed.
I am really particular about one pot recipes. So many don’t live up to the hype. But this one certainly does!
The creamy orzo is reminiscent of risotto…but without all the stirring. And the bright lemon flavors and ease of cooking make this one pot creamy lemon orzo a stellar weeknight recipe.
One Pot Creamy Lemon Orzo with Chicken
Servings 6 servings
Calories 456kcal
Equipment
- Deep Skillet
- Deep Cast Iron Skillet
- Box Grater
- Citrus Juicer
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup finely diced onion
- 3 cloves garlic, finely minced or pressed through a garlic press
- 1 ½ cups (10 ounces) uncooked orzo
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup milk (preferably not skim)
- ½ cup cream
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (from about 2 lemons – zest them before juicing, the zest will be used later)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Pinch black pepper
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving (optional)
- 3 cups cooked, chopped chicken
- 2 to 3 cups chopped fresh baby spinach
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon zest
Instructions
- In a deep 12-inch skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until translucent, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
- Add the orzo and cook, stirring constantly, until lightly toasted and sizzling, 1 to 2 minutes.
- Stir in the broth, milk, cream, lemon juice, salt and pepper.
- Bring to a simmer. Cook at a gentle simmer (not a hard boil), stirring often, for 9 to 10 minutes until the orzo is al dente. There will still be liquid in the pan – this helps create the sauce for the pasta.
- Remove from the heat and add the Parmesan cheese. Stir until melted. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper, if needed (important!).
- Stir in the chicken, spinach and lemon zest. Heat through over medium-low heat, if needed.
- Serve warm with additional Parmesan cheese, if desired. The pasta will thicken as it cools and is best served as soon as possible for optimal creaminess.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 Serving | Calories: 456kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 95mg | Sodium: 483mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g
Recipe Source: from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe
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