With recent, vivid lemon and herbs, this one-pot meal is our favourite strategy to efficiently pull off a home-cooked meal through the busy workweek. This straightforward recipe covers all your bases—prepared in simply 45 minutes and tremendous flavorful whereas nonetheless being a lighter possibility that doesn’t go away you feeling weighed down.
Love Orzo previous as a lot as we do? Attempt our straightforward and scrumptious One Pot Italian Chicken Orzo.
Why Our Recipe
- A one-pot meal that’s fast and straightforward to get on the desk in about 45 minutes.
- Recent lemon and herbs loosen up this straightforward rooster dish.
- Orzo is a simple and filling different to your customary pasta dish.
Orzo pasta elevates this straightforward dish and pairs effectively with the lemon rooster, protecting issues attention-grabbing so that you don’t should fall again on boring, boiled pasta.
Ingredient Notes

- Hen Breasts: It’s also possible to use boneless thighs should you desire darker meat. Simply be sure to chop them into bite-size items and trim off any fats.
- Olive Oil: Substitute with any impartial cooking oil, similar to vegetable or canola oil.
- Hen Broth: Utilizing a low-sodium possibility lets you greatest management the flavour. It’s a terrific chef tip.
- Lemon Juice: Bottled lemon juice works effectively and retains prep to a minimal, however freshly squeezed at all times has one of the best taste.
- Orzo: This short-cut pasta resembles rice and is discovered within the pasta aisle in a field or plastic container. Test the cooking time in your package deal for one of the best outcomes.
- Parmesan Cheese: Freshly shredded or grated Parmesan at all times melts one of the best.
Hen Choices
Rotisserie Hen: If you happen to’re in a rush, rotisserie rooster is a improbable time-saver. Since rotisserie chickens are normally a loss chief for grocery shops, it’s a money-saver too! Merely shred about 1 1/2 to 2 cups of pre-cooked rooster and stir it in throughout the previous couple of minutes of cooking.
Leftover Hen: Obtained leftover rooster from a earlier meal? Whether or not it’s grilled, baked, or roasted, you’ll be able to simply shred it and add it to your soup. It is a nice strategy to reduce waste and provides new life to leftovers.
Hen Thighs: If you happen to desire darkish meat, boneless rooster thighs are a tasty different to rooster breasts. They add a richer taste to the soup and have a tendency to remain extra tender and juicy. Sear and cook dinner them simply as you’ll rooster breasts.
Add Veggies
Simply add some colour to this one-pot dish by incorporating recent greens.
Asparagus, broccoli, and inexperienced beans are all nice choices that pair effectively with lemon, basil, and parmesan.
When so as to add in…

The Proper Pan
Measurement Issues: Go for a big, deep skillet (12 inches or larger). It provides the rooster and orzo loads of room to cook dinner evenly and retains all the pieces from spilling out once you stir.
Lid Required: You’ll want a lid to cowl the pan whereas the orzo cooks. In case your skillet doesn’t have one, no worries—simply cowl it tightly with foil.
No skillet? No drawback! A large, shallow Dutch oven or braiser works like a appeal.
Storage & Reheating Directions
Refrigerate leftovers in an hermetic container for as much as 3 days.
To freeze, let the dish cool utterly, then retailer it in parts in a freezer-safe container for as much as 2 months. That within the fridge in a single day earlier than reheating.
Reheat on the stovetop in a skillet over medium-low warmth, stirring sometimes, till warmed by way of.
Reheat within the microwave in parts in 30-second increments, stirring in between every, till warmed by way of.