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Best One-Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken and Orzo: Easy 30-Minute Dinner

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A quick and easy one-pan meal featuring juicy chicken thighs and creamy orzo in a lemony garlic broth, perfect for busy weeknights or impressive dinner parties.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 pounds total)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 cup orzo pasta (about 200 grams)
  • 2 cups chicken broth (480 ml)
  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Lemon slices or wedges for serving
  • Extra Parmesan for sprinkling

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Let sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Sear chicken skin-side down for 5-6 minutes until deep golden brown. Flip and cook for another 3 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic and stir constantly for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Add orzo and stir for about 1 minute until lightly toasted.
  5. Pour in chicken broth and lemon juice. Scrape up browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Add butter and stir until melted.
  6. Nestle chicken thighs back into the pan, skin-side up. Bring liquid to a gentle boil.
  7. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Do not lift the lid.
  8. Remove lid. Orzo should be tender and have absorbed most of the liquid. If still firm, add ¼ cup broth or water, cover, and cook 2-3 more minutes. Stir in Parmesan cheese. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
  9. Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon slices. Serve directly from the pan.

Notes

Pat chicken dry for crispy skin. Don’t lift the lid during simmering. If orzo is too soupy, simmer uncovered for 2-3 minutes. If too dry, add a splash of warm broth and let sit off heat for 5 minutes. Leftovers keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat in a skillet with a splash of broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pan lemon garlic chicken, lemon chicken orzo, easy chicken dinner, 30-minute meal, one-pan meal, chicken thighs, orzo recipe

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