Lemon Herb Chicken Orzo Skillet (Print Version)

Tender chicken and orzo pasta in a bright lemon-herb sauce with peas. Mediterranean comfort in one skillet.

# What You'll Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 1.1 lbs), cut into bite-sized pieces

→ Pasta & Grains

02 - 1 cup orzo pasta

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 cup frozen green peas
04 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - Zest and juice of 1 large lemon

→ Liquids

07 - 2.5 cups low-sodium chicken broth

→ Herbs & Seasonings

08 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
09 - 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
10 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
11 - 0.5 teaspoon salt, or to taste
12 - 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

→ Fats

13 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

# How To Make It:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
02 - Add chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and sauté for 5 to 6 minutes until lightly golden. Transfer chicken to a plate and set aside.
03 - In the same skillet, add chopped onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Stir in orzo pasta, coating it evenly in the oil and aromatics for 1 to 2 minutes.
05 - Pour in chicken broth and add oregano, lemon zest, and half of the parsley and dill. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
06 - Return chicken and any accumulated juices to the skillet. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
07 - Add peas and fresh lemon juice. Continue cooking uncovered for 5 to 8 minutes, stirring frequently, until orzo is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
08 - Remove from heat. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Garnish with remaining fresh herbs and serve warm.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The orzo soaks up all those bright lemony flavors while the chicken stays impossibly tender
  • Everything cooks in one skillet so you spend less time washing dishes and more time enjoying dinner
  • It comes together in under an hour but tastes like something from a proper dinner party
02 -
  • The orzo will continue absorbing liquid even after you remove it from heat, so don't let it dry out completely
  • Reserve some pasta cooking water in case you need to loosen the sauce at the end
  • Season at every stage rather than just at the end for layers of flavor
03 -
  • Zest your lemon before juicing it, otherwise the zest becomes impossible to grate
  • Don't skip the step of toasting the orzo in the pan, it adds a subtle depth of flavor
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