Lemon Hen and Orzo – The Keep At Dwelling Chef

With contemporary, vivid lemon and herbs, this one-pot meal is our favourite method to efficiently pull off a home-cooked meal throughout the busy workweek. This straightforward recipe covers your entire bases—prepared in simply 45 minutes and tremendous flavorful whereas nonetheless being a lighter possibility that doesn’t depart you feeling weighed down.

Love Orzo previous as a lot as we do? Strive our straightforward and scrumptious One Pot Italian Hen Orzo.

Orzo pasta elevates this easy dish and pairs nicely with the lemon rooster, preserving issues fascinating so that you don’t should fall again on boring, boiled pasta. While you want a fast and straightforward dinner with minimal cleanup, this Lemon Hen and Orzo is the right resolution.

Ingredient Notes

• Hen Breasts: You may also use boneless thighs when you desire darker meat. Simply be sure that to chop them into bite-size items and trim off any fats.
• Olive Oil: Substitute with any impartial cooking oil, similar to vegetable or canola oil.
• Hen Broth: Utilizing a low-sodium possibility permits you to greatest management the flavour. It’s a terrific chef tip.
• Lemon Juice: Bottled lemon juice works nicely and retains prep to a minimal, however freshly squeezed all the time has one of the best taste.
• Orzo: This short-cut pasta resembles rice and is discovered within the pasta aisle in a field or plastic container. Test the cooking time in your package deal for one of the best outcomes.
• Parmesan Cheese: Freshly shredded or grated Parmesan all the time melts one of the best.

Hen Choices

Rotisserie Hen: In the event you’re in a rush, rotisserie rooster is a implausible time-saver. Since rotisserie chickens are often a loss chief for grocery shops, it’s a money-saver too! Merely shred about 1 1/2 to 2 cups of pre-cooked rooster and stir it in throughout the previous couple of minutes of cooking.

Leftover Hen: Acquired leftover rooster from a earlier meal? Whether or not it’s grilled, baked, or roasted, you may simply shred it and add it to your soup. This can be a nice method to decrease waste and provides new life to leftovers.

Hen Thighs: In the event you desire darkish meat, boneless rooster thighs are a tasty various to rooster breasts. They add a richer taste to the soup and have a tendency to remain extra tender and juicy. Sear and prepare dinner them simply as you’ll rooster breasts.

Add Veggies

Simply add some colour to this one-pot dish by incorporating contemporary greens. Asparagus, broccoli, and inexperienced beans are all nice choices that pair nicely with lemon, basil, and parmesan.

For asparagus, add chopped asparagus over the past 3–4 minutes of cooking so it stays tender-crisp.

For broccoli, stir in small broccoli florets about 5 minutes earlier than the orzo is completed to make sure they soften with out changing into mushy.

For inexperienced beans, reduce into bite-sized items and add them over the past 5 minutes of cooking for one of the best texture.

If utilizing softer veggies like spinach or cherry tomatoes, stir them in after turning off the warmth and allow them to wilt from the residual heat.

The Proper Pan

Measurement Issues: Go for a big, deep skillet (12 inches or larger). It offers the rooster and orzo loads of room to prepare dinner evenly and retains every little thing from spilling out while you stir.

Lid Required: You’ll want a lid to cowl the pan whereas the orzo cooks. In case your skillet doesn’t have one, no worries—simply cowl it tightly with foil.

No skillet? No drawback! A large, shallow Dutch oven or braiser works like a appeal.