Description
A bright and flavorful one-pan meal featuring tender chicken, crisp veggies, and orzo tossed in a zesty lemon sauce — quick, healthy, and perfect for busy weeknights!
Ingredients
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced
1 cup orzo pasta
2 tbsp olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup broccoli florets
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 small zucchini, sliced
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
1. Cook orzo in salted boiling water until al dente, drain, and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add diced chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden and cooked through. Remove from skillet.
3. In the same skillet, add a drizzle of olive oil and sauté garlic for 30 seconds.
4. Add broccoli, bell pepper, and zucchini; cook 4–5 minutes until tender-crisp.
5. Return chicken to the skillet, then stir in cooked orzo.
6. Pour in chicken broth, lemon juice, and zest, and toss everything together until warmed through.
7. Sprinkle with Parmesan, toss gently, and garnish with parsley before serving.
Notes
For extra flavor, add a splash of white wine before adding the lemon juice.
Swap orzo for quinoa or rice for a gluten-free option.
Great for meal prep — reheats beautifully for lunch the next day!
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: One Pan / Stir Fry
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 470
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: lemon chicken orzo, chicken stir fry, healthy weeknight dinner, one pan meal, veggie orzo, lemon garlic chicken