Description
A delicious and comforting one-pan meal featuring tender chicken thighs, creamy sauce, orzo pasta, and vibrant greens.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 small yellow onion (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2.5 cups chicken broth
- 0.75 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 cups chopped kale (or spinach)
- 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh thyme (optional)
- Chopped basil (optional)
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Season the chicken thighs with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Cook the chicken in a large skillet with olive oil and butter for 5-7 minutes on each side until golden brown.
- Sauté the diced onion in the same skillet until translucent, then add minced garlic for an additional minute.
- Add orzo pasta and chicken broth, bring to a gentle boil, then cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes.
- Make it creamy by stirring in heavy cream, lemon juice, and lemon zest.
- Add chopped kale or spinach, allowing it to wilt in the mixture.
- Combine sliced chicken and Parmesan cheese, stirring until heated through.
- Garnish with fresh thyme, chopped basil, or red pepper flakes before serving.
Notes
Pair the dish with a light salad or crusty bread for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: chicken, orzo, creamy, lemon, quick dinner, one-pan meal, weeknight recipe