Lemon Hen and Orzo – The Keep At House Chef

With recent, vivid lemon and herbs, this one-pot meal is our favourite method to efficiently pull off a home-cooked meal throughout 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? Strive our straightforward and scrumptious One Pot Italian Chicken Orzo.

Orzo pasta elevates this easy dish and pairs properly with the lemon rooster, protecting issues attention-grabbing so that you don’t need to fall again on boring, boiled pasta. Whenever you want a fast and straightforward dinner with minimal cleanup, this Lemon Hen and Orzo is the proper answer.

Ingredient Notes

• Hen Breasts: You can even use boneless thighs in the event 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, corresponding to vegetable or canola oil.
• Hen Broth: Utilizing a low-sodium possibility means that you can greatest management the flavour. It’s an awesome chef tip.
• Lemon Juice: Bottled lemon juice works properly 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. Examine 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: Bought leftover rooster from a earlier meal? Whether or not it’s grilled, baked, or roasted, you may simply shred it and add it to your soup. This can be a nice method to decrease 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 prepare dinner them simply as you’d 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 properly with lemon, basil, and parmesan.

For asparagus, add chopped asparagus over the last 3–4 minutes of cooking so it stays tender-crisp.

For broccoli, stir in small broccoli florets about 5 minutes earlier than the orzo is finished to make sure they soften with out changing into mushy.

For inexperienced beans, lower into bite-sized items and add them over the last 5 minutes of cooking for one of the best texture.

If utilizing softer veggies like spinach or cherry tomatoes, stir them in after turning off the warmth and allow them to wilt from the residual heat.

The Proper Pan

Measurement Issues: Go for a big, deep skillet (12 inches or larger). It offers the rooster and orzo loads of room to prepare dinner evenly and retains all the things from spilling out while 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 downside! A large, shallow Dutch oven or braiser works like a allure.