Chicken and orzo cooked together in one pan with chicken broth and lemon juice, finished with parmesan and butter for a creamy, almost risotto-like result. The orzo absorbs all the broth as it simmers, so it drinks up the lemon and chicken fat rather than just being coated in sauce. Stir it while it cooks — orzo sticks if you leave it alone.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 lb chicken, cubed
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 4 cups of chicken broth. Or water + chicken bullion
- 1/4 cup of lemon juice
- 16 oz (1 lb) of orzo pasta
- 2 tablespoons dried basil
To serve
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan
- 1/4 cup salted butter
Note: This is a one-pot recipe. It is important to stir orzo occasionally or it'll stick to the bottom of the pan.
Note: Optionally add veggies to the pan like asparagus, broccoli, or anything else. Frozen vegetables should be added in the last 5 minutes of cooking.
Instructions
- Put olive oil in the pan, and heat it over medium-high heat
- Add chicken and get that browning for 6-8 minutes. Add seasonings and stir occasionally.
- Add broth, orzo and basil, stir it all together and bring it to simmer
- Once it comes to a boil, reduce the heat to medium, pop the lid on and let it simmer for 10 minutes. Stir occasionally.
- Add optional vegetables in the last 5 minutes of cooking, if adding them
- Turn off the heat and add parmesan and butter. Stir well.
Notes
Made this recipe once, following exact steps. Really good comfort food. Definitely one to make once in a while. Instead of adding more flavor to the recipe, I used sauces for variations.
I used chicken thighs while original recipe is with chicken breasts. I also doubled the amount of chicken recommended to make it protein-heavy recipe.
Storage
- Up to 3 days refrigerated. Orzo absorbs liquid as it sits; add a splash of broth when reheating.
Variations
- Without orzo — Serve the chicken over rice or pasta separately.
- Dairy-free — Skip any cream or butter; finish with extra lemon juice and olive oil.
Added Aug 27, 2026 · Updated Oct 6, 2026