Description
This Skillet Lemon Herb Chicken Orzo with Spinach is a light and flavorful one-pan dinner. Juicy chicken is paired with tender orzo, fresh spinach, and a bright lemon-herb sauce for a balanced, wholesome meal perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups dry orzo pasta
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 4 cups fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter (optional for extra creaminess)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and cook for 6–7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the orzo and toast for 1–2 minutes.
- Pour in the chicken broth, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer uncovered for 10–12 minutes until the orzo is tender.
- Stir in the spinach and cook for 2 minutes until wilted. Add the chicken back to the skillet along with Parmesan cheese and butter, stirring until combined.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.
Notes
- Use kale or arugula instead of spinach for variety.
- Add extra lemon juice for a tangier flavor.
- Substitute vegetable broth to make the dish vegetarian (without chicken).
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: lemon herb chicken orzo, spinach orzo skillet, Mediterranean chicken skillet, one-pan dinner, easy chicken orzo recipe