Lemon Garlic Chicken Orzo Skillet

A bright and comforting one-pan meal with juicy chicken, tender orzo, garlic, lemon, and Parmesan. Perfect for a quick family dinner!

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 cup dry orzo pasta
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• ½ cup milk or half-and-half
• 1 cup baby spinach
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp paprika
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Zest of 1 lemon
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• Lemon slices, for serving

Instructions

1. Season the chicken with paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for 5–6 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, sauté the onion for 3–4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
4. Stir in the orzo and cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring frequently.
5. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender.
6. Stir in the milk, Parmesan cheese, spinach, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
7. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and cook for 2–3 minutes, until everything is heated through.
8. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with lemon slices.

Optional Add-Ins

• Cherry tomatoes
• Mushrooms
• Broccoli florets
• Sun-dried tomatoes
• Crumbled feta cheese
• Red pepper flakes

Serving Suggestions

• Greek salad
• Garlic green beans
• Roasted asparagus
• Steamed broccoli
• Warm crusty bread

Approximate Nutrition (Per Serving)

• Calories: 510
• Protein: 35 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fat: 22 g
• Fibre: 3 g