This skillet lemon garlic hen and orzo is a kind of dinners that feels a little bit elevated however remains to be fully weeknight-friendly. It’s cozy and creamy with out being heavy, vivid from the lemon, flavorful from the garlic and parmesan, and made in a single pan, which is all the time a win in my e book.
In the event you’re all the time in search of easy meals that everybody will truly eat, this one suits proper in with my favourite household dinner concepts. It’s hearty, flavorful, and comes collectively in a single skillet, which makes cleanup really feel manageable even on a busy weeknight.
The entire household loves this recipe, and I really like that it makes use of easy components I nearly all the time have available: hen, orzo, broth, lemon, spinach, garlic, butter, and parmesan.
I’ve made it with each hen thighs and hen breasts, and whereas each work effectively, hen thighs keep particularly tender and juicy. The orzo cooks proper within the skillet with the broth, lemon, and browned bits from the hen, which supplies it a lot taste. Then the spinach and parmesan are stirred in on the finish to make the whole lot creamy and comforting.
A small kitchen tip: I like utilizing my countertop grater to grate contemporary parmesan for this recipe. It makes the job fast, the items can go straight into the dishwasher, and freshly grated cheese melts so significantly better than the pre-shredded type.
Why You’ll Love This Lemon Garlic Hen and Orzo
This recipe is easy sufficient for a weeknight however scrumptious sufficient to really feel like one thing particular. It’s made in a single skillet, makes use of on a regular basis components, and has an ideal stability of cozy and vivid flavors.
The lemon provides it freshness, the garlic and butter add richness, the orzo makes it satisfying, and the spinach provides a little bit colour and veggie increase on the finish. It additionally reheats effectively, which makes leftovers a deal with for lunch the following day.
Substances You’ll Want
You’ll want boneless, skinless hen thighs (or hen breasts), salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, olive oil, butter, garlic, orzo, hen broth, lemon zest and juice, contemporary spinach, and parmesan cheese.
Non-compulsory toppings like contemporary parsley, additional lemon wedges, purple pepper flakes, or extra parmesan are all welcome additions.
Hen Thighs or Hen Breasts?
Each work effectively on this skillet lemon garlic hen and orzo, so use what your loved ones prefers or what you have got available.
Hen thighs are my favourite right here as a result of they keep juicy and tender, even whereas simmering with the orzo. Hen breasts additionally work, however relying on thickness, you might need to slice them in half horizontally or pound them barely so that they cook dinner evenly.
I attain for hen thighs actually because they’re forgiving, flavorful, and exhausting to dry out. In the event you’re a fellow hen thigh fan, this skillet coconut lime hen is one other household favourite price including to your dinner listing.
Learn how to Make Skillet Lemon Garlic Hen and Orzo
Begin by patting the hen dry, then season either side with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Sear the hen in olive oil and butter till golden brown on either side. It doesn’t should be totally cooked but as a result of it is going to end cooking with the orzo.
Take away the hen, then add extra butter, garlic, and orzo to the skillet. Let the garlic grow to be aromatic and the orzo calmly toast for a minute or two. This step provides additional taste and provides the ultimate dish a little bit extra depth.
Subsequent, stir within the hen broth, lemon zest, and lemon juice, ensuring to scrape up all these flavorful browned bits from the underside of the pan. Nestle the hen again into the skillet, cowl, and simmer till the orzo is tender and the hen is cooked by way of.
Lastly, stir within the chopped spinach and parmesan till the spinach wilts and the orzo turns into creamy. Style and alter with extra salt, pepper, or lemon juice as wanted.
Serve heat with additional parmesan, contemporary parsley, purple pepper flakes, or an additional squeeze of lemon.
Suggestions for Success
Use freshly grated parmesan if potential. It melts higher and provides the orzo a creamier texture.
Stir the orzo often whereas it simmers so it doesn’t stick with the underside of the skillet.
If the orzo absorbs the liquid too shortly earlier than it’s tender, add an additional splash of broth.
Style earlier than serving. Relying in your broth and parmesan, it’s your decision a little bit extra salt, pepper, or lemon juice on the finish.
What to Serve with Lemon Garlic Hen and Orzo
Since this dish already has hen, orzo, and spinach, it actually can stand alone as a whole meal. You probably have a hungry crew or need to spherical it out, it pairs effectively with a easy inexperienced salad, roasted broccoli, inexperienced beans, or a loaf of crusty bread to scoop up the creamy orzo.
Learn how to Retailer and Reheat
Retailer leftovers in an hermetic container within the fridge. This reheats effectively for lunch the following day, although the orzo will proceed to soak up liquid because it sits.
When reheating, add a splash of hen broth or water to loosen it again up and convey again that creamy texture.
Skillet Lemon Garlic Hen and Orzo
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook dinner Time: 25 minutes
Whole Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
Class: Dinner
Technique: Stovetop
Description
This skillet lemon garlic hen and orzo is an easy one-pan dinner made with tender hen, cozy orzo, vivid lemon, garlic, spinach, and freshly grated parmesan. It’s flavorful, family-friendly, and ideal for a straightforward weeknight meal that also feels a little bit particular.
- 1 1/2 lb boneless, skinless hen thighs or hen breasts
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 3 Tbsp butter, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup orzo
- 2 1/2 cups hen broth
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 2 cups contemporary spinach, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- Non-compulsory: contemporary parsley, additional lemon wedges, purple pepper flakes
Directions
- Pat the hen dry and season either side with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Warmth olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a big skillet over medium-high warmth. Add the hen and sear for 4-5 minutes per aspect, till golden brown. The hen doesn’t should be totally cooked by way of but. Take away it to a plate.
- Scale back warmth to medium. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter to the skillet, then add the garlic and orzo. Stir for 1-2 minutes, permitting the garlic to grow to be aromatic and the orzo to calmly toast.
- Pour within the hen broth, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Stir, scraping up any browned bits from the underside of the pan.
- Nestle the hen again into the skillet. Cowl and simmer for 12-Quarter-hour, stirring often, till the orzo is tender and the hen is cooked by way of.
- Stir within the spinach and parmesan till the spinach wilts and the orzo turns into creamy.
- Style and alter with extra salt, pepper, or lemon juice as wanted. Serve heat with parsley, additional parmesan, purple pepper flakes, or a squeeze of contemporary lemon.
Notes
Hen thighs keep particularly juicy on this recipe, however hen breasts work effectively, too. If utilizing giant hen breasts, take into account slicing them in half horizontally so that they cook dinner extra evenly.
Freshly grated parmesan melts finest and provides the orzo a creamier texture.
If the orzo absorbs the liquid too shortly, add an additional splash of broth.
This reheats effectively for lunch the following day. Add a splash of broth or water when reheating to loosen it again up.
