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Creamy One-Pan Lemon Chicken Orzo Recipe Easy Sun-Dried Tomato Dinner

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A quick and easy one-pan meal featuring juicy chicken thighs, creamy lemon sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, and tender orzo pasta. Perfect for cozy dinners with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 cup orzo pasta (about 170 g)
  • 1/3 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes (preferably packed in oil)
  • Zest and juice of 1 large lemon
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 cups chicken broth (720 ml), low-sodium recommended
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (120 ml)
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (about 50 g)
  • A handful fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Pat dry chicken thighs and season with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 4-5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
  2. Lower heat to medium. Add minced garlic to the same pan and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, scraping up browned bits.
  3. Stir in chopped sun-dried tomatoes and orzo pasta. Toast orzo for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.
  4. Pour in chicken broth and add lemon zest and juice. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10-12 minutes until orzo is tender but firm, stirring occasionally.
  5. Stir in heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese until sauce is creamy and coats the orzo. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  6. Slice cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces and fold into the orzo mixture. Heat through for 2 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan if desired. Serve warm.

Notes

Do not overcrowd the pan when cooking chicken; cook in batches if needed. Toasting the orzo adds flavor and helps it hold up during simmering. Simmer gently on low heat to avoid drying out the sauce. Stir occasionally but do not over-stir. Adjust liquid as needed to keep sauce creamy. Let dish rest off heat for a few minutes to thicken sauce. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with canned coconut milk and Parmesan with nutritional yeast. For gluten-free, use gluten-free orzo or rice-shaped pasta.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon chicken orzo, one-pan dinner, creamy chicken recipe, sun-dried tomatoes, easy weeknight meal, comfort food, quick dinner

Find it online: https://prismtaste.com/creamy-one-pan-lemon-chicken-orzo-recipe-easy-sun-dried-tomato-dinner/