Lemon Chicken Orzo Recipe is a bright, creamy one-pot dinner with seasoned chicken, tender pasta, and fresh lemon flavor.
Author’s Notes
The Soup I Can’t Stop Making Turned Into This One-Pot Dinner
It is satisfying to a good creamy soup (I have shared dozens over the years!), but I also really enjoy a broth-based soup, especially when it’s packed with flavor and hearty enough to actually fill me up for more than an hour.
That soup for me is lemon chicken orzo, and I make it all the time. It’s filling, full of flavor, and tastes so fresh thanks to the lemon.
I found myself craving those same flavors in a one-pot chicken dinner, so I decided to turn that soup into a meal. After a few rounds of testing, this version was it. Bright and fresh from the lemon, filling thanks to the pasta and chicken, and rich from the creamy base. Best part? It all comes together in one pot, and it’s so, so good.
Lemon Chicken Orzo Recipe Ingredients
| Ingredient | Tip |
|---|---|
| Chicken | Use breast or tenders cut into small pieces so they cook quickly and stay tender. |
| Onion & Garlic | Dice SUPER small so they mix well into the sauce. No one wants crunchy onions in the finished dish! |
| Orzo | Stir often near the end so it cooks evenly and does not stick to the base of the pot. |
| Broth, Milk & Butter | Let the milk come to room temp for quicker cooking and to ensure the sauce stays smooth and creamy. |
| Lemon, Parmesan & Spinach | mix in at the end to keep the lemon fresh, the cheese creamy, and the spinach from overcooking. |
How To Make Lemon Chicken Orzo Recipe
- Sauté chicken: Cook onion, garlic, and chicken in one pot until tender, then keep nearby.
- Make creamy: Whisk butter, flour, broth, and milk together to create a smooth sauce.
- Cook orzo: Simmer the orzo right in the sauce until tender and creamy.
- Finish & serve: mix in chicken, spinach, Parmesan, and lemon, then serve warm.
Featured Comment
“This recipe was so lively! Nice texture and I doubled it so that worked too!”
– Lori
Storage
This Lemon Chicken Orzo Recipe is best enjoyed fresh when the sauce is at its creamiest.
- For leftovers, store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The orzo will absorb more liquid as it sits, so add a splash of milk or broth when reheating.
- Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, stirring often.
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Make It Your Own!
One of the reasons this lemon chicken orzo recipe is so popular is how flexible it is.
- Add extra spinach or kale if you want more greens.
- Use chicken thighs instead of breast for richer flavor.
- Add mushrooms or zucchini with the onion.
- Finish with fresh herbs like parsley, basil, or a dollop of basil pesto on top.
Serve Lemon Chicken Orzo Recipe With:
- A simple garden salad with a vinaigrette for something fresh and crisp on the side.
- Roasted broccoli or asparagus roasted until tender is the reliable side.
- Garlic bread or crusty bread, because extra bread for soaking up sauce is the move!
the cook’s Recipe Tip
Tools For This Recipe
Check out a reliable kitchen essentials, gadgets, and cookware!
- I use this lemon juicer and lemon zester.
- Here’s my favorite pot that I use for this dish.
- A garlic press makes mincing garlic super simple.
- This wooden spoon is my most-used kitchen tool.
