Chicken Orzo

Elevate your weeknight dinners with this comforting and flavor-packed Chicken Orzo recipe, a one-pan wonder that brings together tender, golden-browned chicken thighs and velvety orzo pasta infused with lemon, Parmesan, and fresh herbs. Perfectly seasoned and cooked to juicy perfection, the bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs lend richness to the dish, while the orzo simmers in a savory chicken broth, absorbing every bit of flavor. A finishing touch of freshly squeezed lemon juice, bright parsley, and fragrant thyme creates a zesty, aromatic contrast to the creamy Parmesan-stirred pasta. With just 15 minutes of prep and simple, straightforward steps, this recipe is ideal for busy weeknights or cozy weekends when you crave hearty yet sophisticated comfort food. Serve it straight from the skillet for a rustic, family-style presentation, and watch it become your new favorite go-to dinner. Keywords: chicken orzo, one-pan meal, weeknight dinner, creamy pasta, lemon chicken, Parmesan orzo, easy chicken recipes.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 pieces Chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on)
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 tablespoon Butter
• 1 medium Yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
• 4 cups Chicken broth
• 1.5 cups Orzo pasta
• 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 teaspoon Fresh thyme leaves
• 1 cup Grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

Step 1

Season the chicken thighs on both sides with salt and black pepper.

Step 2

Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for 5-7 minutes until golden brown. Flip and cook for another 5 minutes, then remove the chicken and set aside.

Step 3

Lower the heat to medium and add the butter to the same pan. Once melted, add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring the liquid to a simmer.

Step 5

Stir in the orzo pasta, then nestle the chicken thighs back into the pan, skin-side up. Cover and cook on medium-low heat for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the orzo from sticking, until the pasta is tender and the chicken is cooked through.

Step 6

Remove the chicken from the pan and stir in the lemon juice, lemon zest, chopped parsley, and thyme leaves. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.

Step 7

Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the orzo and stir until creamy and well combined. Return the chicken thighs to the pan to reheat, if needed.

Step 8

Serve the chicken warm with a generous portion of the orzo on the side, garnished with more fresh parsley if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2149.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3143.8

Total Fat 162.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 53.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.0g
Cholesterol 598.9mg	0%
Sodium 6515.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 246.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 19.6g	0%
Total Sugars 13.1g
Protein 193.1g	0%

Vitamin D 2.2IU	0%
Calcium 1156.4mg	0%
Iron 20.4mg	0%
Potassium 2258.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 45.3%

Protein: 24.0%

Carbs: 30.7%