Zesty Lemon Chicken Orzo Delight
A flavorful dish featuring chicken and orzo pasta in a zesty lemon broth.
Ingredients
- 0.4536 kg boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 whole lemon (zest and juice)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 0.5 tablespoons olive oil
- to taste salt
- to taste pepper
- to taste fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, oregano, and paprika on both sides.
- In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken breasts and sear for about 5-6 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and let rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing into bite-sized pieces.
- In the same skillet, add the diced onion and cook for about 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the orzo, allowing it to toast slightly for about 1-2 minutes. Then, add the cherry tomatoes, chicken broth, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and let it simmer for about 10-12 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Once the orzo is cooked, return the sliced chicken to the skillet. Toss everything well to combine and heat through for another 2-3 minutes. Adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or lemon juice to taste, if desired.
- Remove from heat, garnish with freshly chopped parsley, and serve hot. Optionally, sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.
Notes
Optional: serve with grated Parmesan cheese.