Lemon Herb Chicken Orzo Skillet (Print Version)

A bright one-pan meal with tender chicken, orzo pasta, peas, and fresh herbs in zesty lemon sauce. Perfect for spring dinner.

# What You'll Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 1.1 lbs), cut into bite-sized pieces

→ Pasta & Grains

02 - 1 cup orzo pasta

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 cup frozen green peas
04 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - Zest and juice of 1 large lemon

→ Liquids

07 - 2.5 cups low-sodium chicken broth

→ Herbs & Seasonings

08 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
09 - 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried dill)
10 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
11 - 0.5 teaspoon salt, or to taste
12 - 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

→ Fats

13 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

# How to Make It:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
02 - Add chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and sauté for 5–6 minutes until lightly golden. Remove chicken to a plate and set aside.
03 - In the same skillet, add chopped onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Stir in orzo, coating it in the oil and aromatics for 1–2 minutes.
05 - Pour in chicken broth and add oregano, lemon zest, and half the parsley and dill. Bring to a simmer.
06 - Return chicken and any accumulated juices to the skillet. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
07 - Add peas and lemon juice. Continue to cook uncovered for 5–8 minutes, stirring, until orzo is al dente and most of the liquid is absorbed.
08 - Remove from heat. Adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with remaining herbs and serve warm.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • The orzo absorbs all those lemony juices creating this incredibly creamy texture without any actual cream
  • Everything cooks in one skillet so you get maximum flavor with minimum cleanup
02 -
  • The orzo will continue absorbing liquid after you remove it from heat so dont let it get too dry while cooking
  • Lemon zest contains the essential oils so grate it before you juice the lemon
03 -
  • Use a skillet with a lid that fits well to keep the steam in while the orzo cooks
  • Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 3 days and actually get better as flavors meld
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