Creamy Lemon Chicken Orzo made in one pot with spinach and Parmesan. A bright, easy dinner ready in about 30 minutes!
When I hear "one pot dinner", I immediately get excited.
Because seriously, who wants to cook a whole dinner and then have lots of dishes to clean up afterward?
Lemon Chicken Orzo sounds fancy, but it's actually quite simple to make. It's a 30-minute dinner that doesn't require a ton of effort; perfect for my ADHD brain.
Keep reading to see how to make it!
Ingredients
This one pot dinner serves 4 people and is ready in less than 30 minutes!
- Olive oil
- Boneless, skinless chicken breast
- Salt and pepper
- Garlic
- Oregano
- Chicken broth
- Orzo
- Half and half
- Lemon juice and zest
- Spinach
- Grated Parmesan cheese
Can You Make This Ahead of Time?
Yes, you can! It heats up well in the microwave, although the orzo will absorb most of the liquid as it sits in the fridge.
If you need to, add a little drizzle of chicken broth before you microwave, to thin it out a bit.
Can You Use a Different Protein?
If you're low on time, you can use already-cooked chicken, like from a rotisserie chicken!
Instead of cooking the chicken first, you'll add it at the very end, letting it heat up for 2-3 minutes.
How to Make
Step 1
Heat a large skillet to medium heat and add olive oil. Add the chicken and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is lightly browned and reaches 165 degrees F.
Step 2
Add the garlic and oregano, cooking for 30 seconds until the garlic becomes fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth and orzo, and stir together. Bring to a simmer and cover, cooking for 8-10 minutes until the orzo is al dente and most of the broth has been absorbed.
Step 3
Stir in the half and half, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Let it heat for 2 minutes.
Step 4
Stir in the spinach, letting it wilt, then stir in the Parmesan. Divide into 4 bowls and serve.
How to Store Leftovers
Once this has cooled to room temperature, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. Use up within 3-5 days.
To reheat, add a little water or broth to thin out if needed, then microwave in 30-second increments until fully heated through.
What to Serve With This
This is a pretty complete meal as it is: You've got protein, carbs, and vegetables!
But if you want something a little extra, a nice side salad would be perfect with this dinner.
Want More One Pot Dinners?
Check out these other easy recipes!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use a different type of pasta?
Orzo is really tiny, which is why it works well in this recipe. If you need a different kind of pasta, find something small, like elbows. Just make sure it still cooks thoroughly.
Can you freeze this?
Cream-based sauces don't freeze very well, so I wouldn't recommend it.
Print the Recipe
Creamy One Pot Lemon Chicken Orzo
Creamy Lemon Chicken Orzo made in one pot with spinach and Parmesan. A bright, easy dinner ready in about 30 minutes!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup dried orzo
- ½ cup half and half
- Juice and zest of one lemon
- 2 cups baby spinach
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet to medium heat and add olive oil. Add the chicken and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is lightly brown.
- Add the garlic and oregano, cooking for 30 seconds until the garlic becomes fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth and orzo, and stir together. Bring to a simmer and cover, cooking for 8-10 minutes until the orzo is al dente and most of the broth has been absorbed.
- Stir in the half and half, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Let it heat for 2 minutes.
- Stir in the spinach, letting it wilt, then stir in the Parmesan.
- Divide into 4 bowls and serve.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 421Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 6gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 105mgSodium: 355mgCarbohydrates: 34gFiber: 2gSugar: 3gProtein: 38g
Jaime is a Nutrition Coach through the ISSA and professional writer. She has 4 years experience coaching and 9 years experience in writing. She enjoys cooking easy meals, running, and learning more about food.
Jaime specializes in helping women with ADHD learn to meal plan and cook healthier meals without getting overwhelmed.
