Description

This one-pot lemon chicken orzo with spinach combines tender chicken, bright lemon, and nutrient-rich spinach into a creamy, satisfying dinner with minimal cleanup. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want healthy, flavorful cooking without the fuss.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

1 cup orzo pasta

2 tablespoons olive oil

3 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped

1 large lemon, zested and juiced (about 2 tablespoons juice)

3 cups low-sodium chicken broth

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 small yellow onion, finely chopped

1 teaspoon dried oregano

salt and black pepper to taste

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

2 tablespoons fresh parsley or dill, chopped

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat and brown the chicken pieces for 5–6 minutes until golden. Remove chicken and set aside.

2. Add onion to the same pot and sauté for 2–3 minutes until translucent. Stir in garlic and oregano for 30 seconds until fragrant.

3. Add orzo and toast for 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a gentle simmer, scraping up any browned bits.

4. Cook the orzo for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender but still firm.

5. Return the chicken to the pot and stir in spinach. Cook for 1–2 minutes until the spinach wilts.

6. Remove from heat and stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, and Parmesan cheese if using. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

7. Garnish with fresh parsley or dill and serve immediately.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: dinner
Method: one-pot
Cuisine: american

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 450
Sugar: 3
Sodium: 800
Fat: 15
Saturated Fat: 5
Unsaturated Fat: 8
Trans Fat: 0
Carbohydrates: 50
Fiber: 4
Protein: 30
Cholesterol: 85

Keywords: one-pot lemon chicken orzo, healthy orzo dinner, chicken dinner recipes, dinner recipes with lemon, spinach recipes, easy weeknight meals, one-pot meals, family dinner recipes