This skillet lemon garlic hen and orzo is a kind of dinners that feels a bit elevated however remains to be fully weeknight-friendly. It’s cozy and creamy with out being heavy, vibrant from the lemon, flavorful from the garlic and parmesan, and made in a single pan, which is at all times a win in my e-book.
In the event you’re at all times searching for easy meals that everybody will really 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 elements I nearly at all times have readily 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 properly, 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 provides it a lot taste. Then the spinach and parmesan are stirred in on the finish to make every thing 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 a lot better than the pre-shredded sort.
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 elements, and has an excellent steadiness of cozy and vibrant flavors.
The lemon provides it freshness, the garlic and butter add richness, the orzo makes it satisfying, and the spinach provides a bit colour and veggie increase on the finish. It additionally reheats properly, which makes leftovers a deal with for lunch the subsequent day.
Elements 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.
Optionally available toppings like contemporary parsley, additional lemon wedges, purple pepper flakes, or extra parmesan are all welcome additions.
Hen Thighs or Hen Breasts?
Each work properly on this skillet lemon garlic hen and orzo, so use what your loved ones prefers or what you could have readily 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, it’s possible you’ll 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 laborious 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.
The best way to Make Skillet Lemon Garlic Hen and Orzo
Begin by patting the hen dry, then season each side with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Sear the hen in olive oil and butter till golden brown on each side. It doesn’t must be absolutely cooked but as a result of it can 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 evenly toast for a minute or two. This step provides additional taste and offers the ultimate dish a 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.
Lastly, stir within the chopped spinach and parmesan till the spinach wilts and the orzo turns into creamy. Style and regulate 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.
Ideas for Success
Use freshly grated parmesan if potential. It melts higher and offers 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, you might have considered trying a 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 an entire meal. In case you have a hungry crew or need to spherical it out, it pairs properly with a easy inexperienced salad, roasted broccoli, inexperienced beans, or a loaf of crusty bread to scoop up the creamy orzo.
The best way to Retailer and Reheat
Retailer leftovers in an hermetic container within the fridge. This reheats properly for lunch the subsequent 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 produce 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, vibrant lemon, garlic, spinach, and freshly grated parmesan. It’s flavorful, family-friendly, and ideal for a straightforward weeknight meal that also feels a 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
- Optionally available: contemporary parsley, additional lemon wedges, purple pepper flakes
Directions
- Pat the hen dry and season each 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 facet, till golden brown. The hen doesn’t must be absolutely cooked by 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 evenly 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.
- Stir within the spinach and parmesan till the spinach wilts and the orzo turns into creamy.
- Style and regulate 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 properly, too. If utilizing massive hen breasts, contemplate slicing them in half horizontally so that they cook dinner extra evenly.
Freshly grated parmesan melts greatest and offers the orzo a creamier texture.
If the orzo absorbs the liquid too shortly, add an additional splash of broth.
This reheats properly for lunch the subsequent day. Add a splash of broth or water when reheating to loosen it again up.
