This skillet lemon garlic rooster and orzo is a kind of dinners that feels a bit elevated however continues 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 searching for easy meals that everybody will really eat, this one matches 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 substances I nearly all the time have readily available: rooster, orzo, broth, lemon, spinach, garlic, butter, and parmesan.
I’ve made it with each rooster thighs and rooster breasts, and whereas each work nicely, rooster thighs keep particularly tender and juicy. The orzo cooks proper within the skillet with the broth, lemon, and browned bits from the rooster, which supplies it a lot taste. Then the spinach and parmesan are stirred in on the finish to make every part 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 type.
Why You’ll Love This Lemon Garlic Rooster and Orzo
This recipe is straightforward 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 substances, and has an important stability of cozy and vivid flavors.
The lemon offers it freshness, the garlic and butter add richness, the orzo makes it satisfying, and the spinach provides a bit colour and veggie enhance on the finish. It additionally reheats nicely, which makes leftovers a deal with for lunch the following day.
Components You’ll Want
You’ll want boneless, skinless rooster thighs (or rooster breasts), salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, olive oil, butter, garlic, orzo, rooster broth, lemon zest and juice, contemporary spinach, and parmesan cheese.
Non-obligatory toppings like contemporary parsley, further lemon wedges, pink pepper flakes, or extra parmesan are all welcome additions.
Rooster Thighs or Rooster Breasts?
Each work nicely on this skillet lemon garlic rooster and orzo, so use what your loved ones prefers or what you’ve got readily available.
Rooster thighs are my favourite right here as a result of they keep juicy and tender, even whereas simmering with the orzo. Rooster breasts additionally work, however relying on thickness, chances are you’ll need to slice them in half horizontally or pound them barely in order that they cook dinner evenly.
I attain for rooster thighs actually because they’re forgiving, flavorful, and onerous to dry out. In the event you’re a fellow rooster thigh fan, this skillet coconut lime rooster is one other household favourite value including to your dinner checklist.
The right way to Make Skillet Lemon Garlic Rooster and Orzo
Begin by patting the rooster dry, then season either side with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Sear the rooster in olive oil and butter till golden brown on either side. It doesn’t must be absolutely cooked but as a result of it is going to end cooking with the orzo.
Take away the rooster, 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 further taste and provides the ultimate dish a bit extra depth.
Subsequent, stir within the rooster broth, lemon zest, and lemon juice, ensuring to scrape up all these flavorful browned bits from the underside of the pan. Nestle the rooster again into the skillet, cowl, and simmer till the orzo is tender and the rooster is cooked via.
Lastly, stir within the chopped spinach and parmesan till the spinach wilts and the orzo turns into creamy. Style and modify with extra salt, pepper, or lemon juice as wanted.
Serve heat with further parmesan, contemporary parsley, pink pepper flakes, or an additional squeeze of lemon.
Ideas for Success
Use freshly grated parmesan if potential. It melts higher and provides the orzo a creamier texture.
Stir the orzo sometimes whereas it simmers so it doesn’t stick with the underside of the skillet.
If the orzo absorbs the liquid too rapidly 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 bit extra salt, pepper, or lemon juice on the finish.
What to Serve with Lemon Garlic Rooster and Orzo
Since this dish already has rooster, orzo, and spinach, it actually can stand alone as an entire meal. When you have a hungry crew or need to spherical it out, it pairs nicely with a easy inexperienced salad, roasted broccoli, inexperienced beans, or a loaf of crusty bread to scoop up the creamy orzo.
The right way to Retailer and Reheat
Retailer leftovers in an hermetic container within the fridge. This reheats nicely for lunch the following day, although the orzo will proceed to soak up liquid because it sits.
When reheating, add a splash of rooster broth or water to loosen it again up and convey again that creamy texture.
Skillet Lemon Garlic Rooster 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 rooster and orzo is an easy one-pan dinner made with tender rooster, cozy orzo, vivid lemon, garlic, spinach, and freshly grated parmesan. It’s flavorful, family-friendly, and excellent for a simple weeknight meal that also feels a bit particular.
- 1 1/2 lb boneless, skinless rooster thighs or rooster 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 rooster broth
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 2 cups contemporary spinach, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- Non-obligatory: contemporary parsley, further lemon wedges, pink pepper flakes
Directions
- Pat the rooster 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 rooster and sear for 4-5 minutes per facet, till golden brown. The rooster doesn’t must be absolutely cooked via 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 rooster broth, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Stir, scraping up any browned bits from the underside of the pan.
- Nestle the rooster again into the skillet. Cowl and simmer for 12-Quarter-hour, stirring sometimes, till the orzo is tender and the rooster is cooked via.
- Stir within the spinach and parmesan till the spinach wilts and the orzo turns into creamy.
- Style and modify with extra salt, pepper, or lemon juice as wanted. Serve heat with parsley, further parmesan, pink pepper flakes, or a squeeze of contemporary lemon.
Notes
Rooster thighs keep particularly juicy on this recipe, however rooster breasts work nicely, too. If utilizing massive rooster breasts, think about slicing them in half horizontally in order 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 rapidly, add an additional splash of broth.
This reheats nicely for lunch the following day. Add a splash of broth or water when reheating to loosen it again up.
