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Lemon Chicken Broccoli Orzo Skillet

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Lemon Chicken Broccoli Orzo Skillet is a vibrant and wholesome one-pan meal combining tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and orzo pasta in a bright, lemony sauce. It’s quick, flavorful, and perfect for nutritious weeknight dinners with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

  1. 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
    2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
    Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
    3 cloves garlic, minced
    1 cup orzo pasta
    2 1/2 cups chicken broth
    3 cups broccoli florets
    Juice and zest of 1 lemon
    1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
    Optional: chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

  1. Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper and add to the skillet.
  2. Cook chicken until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, add remaining olive oil and sauté garlic for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Add orzo and chicken broth; bring to a boil.
  5. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook, uncovered, for about 8 minutes.
  6. Add broccoli florets, cover, and cook for another 5 minutes until orzo is tender and broccoli is bright green and crisp-tender.
  7. Return chicken to the skillet and stir in lemon juice, lemon zest, and Parmesan cheese.
  8. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  9. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.

Notes

  1. Substitute orzo with couscous or quinoa.
  2. Add sun-dried tomatoes or olives for extra flavor.
  3. Use spinach or asparagus instead of broccoli.
  4. Stir in red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
  5. Top with toasted pine nuts or slivered almonds for crunch.

Nutrition