Lemon chicken orzo served in a bowl
Food & Home, Recipe

Easy Lemon Chicken Orzo

words by Jennifer Bryerton Ma. Ed.
Easy Family Chicken Dinner

Quick and Healthy One Pot Family Dinner

If you’re seeking for easy midweek meals, orzo recipes are ideal. Creamy Lemon Chicken Orzo with spinach is a sure crowd-pleaser that comes together quickly with ingredients you likely have on hand! It is also a great on-the-go meal for the times when you are traveling with kids all around the county to baseball, scouts, art, lacrosse ballet, piano lessons, soccer… and may need to dine at a picnic table or in the minivan. This is a great one-pot pasta dish that serves as a whole supper and is filled with flavor and nutrition. We have a collection of delicious family recipes to share.

Ingredients for Easy Lemon Chicken Orzo with Spinach

  • Chicken – 4 breasts, cut into bite-sized chunks (cooks more quickly)
  • Garlic – 3 cloves. Peeled and crushed fresh garlic is easy, but feel free to use pre-prepared from a jar or frozen
  • Orzo – The dried kind in the pasta section
  • Hot chicken stock – 3 cups, Premade or from a bouillon cube works, heat before adding
  • Lemon – The zest and juice
  • Parmesan – Buy it grated or grate it yourself
  • Olive Oil – 1 tbsp
  • Oregano – 1 tsp
  • Orzo – 1 1/4 cup uncooked
  • Cream – 3/4 cup
  • Spinach – 1/2 cup frozen or 1 cup fresh

This Lemon Chicken Orzo pasta recipe is a quick, easy and delicious meal perfect for a busy weeknight family meal. It’s also all made in one pot for convenience and is ready in about 30 minutes. It’s so good, you’re sure to please yourself and the kids too! Add broccoli or a side of carrots and voila, a balanced meal that will reheat nicely for lunch the next day too. That is, if you make enough for leftovers – be prepared for everyone to want seconds of this delicious lemon chicken orzo dinner!

Steps to Make Lemon Chicken Orzo

  1. Fry the chicken pieces in heated oil over medium heat (as directed in the recipe below) until all sides are browned. Reduce the heat and add the oregano and garlic, stirring for a few minutes.
  2. Add the orzo, stock, lemon zest and plenty of pepper. Cook as per the recipe below.
  3. Reduce the heat and combine the cream, spinach, and lemon juice. Stir vigorously until the spinach is wilted and the cream has cooked through.
  4. Stir in the parmesan cheese and bon appetit

Cooking Instructions for Lemon Chicken Orzo

In a big, deep frying pan, heat the oil over medium heat. When it is heated, carefully add the chicken pieces. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring regularly, until both sides begin to brown. Reduce the heat, then add the garlic and oregano. Stir for 3-5 minutes, until the garlic has softened. Stir in the orzo, stock, lemon zest, and plenty of pepper, then cover and cook. Cook for 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken and orzo are well cooked, tossing periodically. (If the mixture becomes too dry before the orzo or chicken is cooked, add a little water.) Reduce the heat to the lowest setting and add the cream, spinach, and lemon juice; continue to whisk constantly. When it is well mixed and thickened slightly, serve and enjoy!

For more great family recipes, visit our Food & Home section where you can find more family dinners like Pasta Primavera and hearty Soups, along with desserts that include strawberry shortcake.

ingredients for lemon chicken orzo recipe