Lemon Hen and Orzo – The Keep At Residence Chef

With recent, vibrant lemon and herbs, this one-pot meal is our favourite technique to efficiently pull off a home-cooked meal through the busy workweek. This straightforward recipe covers your entire bases—prepared in simply 45 minutes and tremendous flavorful whereas nonetheless being a lighter choice that doesn’t depart you feeling weighed down.

Love Orzo previous as a lot as we do? Strive our straightforward and scrumptious One Pot Italian Chicken Orzo.

Orzo pasta elevates this straightforward dish and pairs effectively with the lemon hen, holding issues fascinating so that you don’t should fall again on boring, boiled pasta. Once you want a fast and straightforward dinner with minimal cleanup, this Lemon Hen and Orzo is the proper answer.

Ingredient Notes

• Hen Breasts: You may also use boneless thighs if you happen to desire darker meat. Simply make certain to chop them into bite-size items and trim off any fats.
• Olive Oil: Substitute with any impartial cooking oil, similar to vegetable or canola oil.
• Hen Broth: Utilizing a low-sodium choice lets you greatest management the flavour. It’s a fantastic chef tip.
• Lemon Juice: Bottled lemon juice works effectively and retains prep to a minimal, however freshly squeezed all the time has the perfect taste.
• Orzo: This short-cut pasta resembles rice and is discovered within the pasta aisle in a field or plastic container. Examine the cooking time in your bundle for the perfect outcomes.
• Parmesan Cheese: Freshly shredded or grated Parmesan all the time melts the perfect.

Hen Choices

Rotisserie Hen: When you’re in a rush, rotisserie hen is a unbelievable time-saver. Since rotisserie chickens are normally a loss chief for grocery shops, it’s a money-saver too! Merely shred about 1 1/2 to 2 cups of pre-cooked hen and stir it in throughout the previous couple of minutes of cooking.

Leftover Hen: Received leftover hen from a earlier meal? Whether or not it’s grilled, baked, or roasted, you may simply shred it and add it to your soup. It is a nice technique to reduce waste and provides new life to leftovers.

Hen Thighs: When you desire darkish meat, boneless hen thighs are a tasty various to hen breasts. They add a richer taste to the soup and have a tendency to remain extra tender and juicy. Sear and prepare dinner them simply as you’ll hen breasts.

Add Veggies

Simply add some shade to this one-pot dish by incorporating recent greens. Asparagus, broccoli, and inexperienced beans are all nice choices that pair effectively with lemon, basil, and parmesan.

For asparagus, add chopped asparagus over the last 3–4 minutes of cooking so it stays tender-crisp.

For broccoli, stir in small broccoli florets about 5 minutes earlier than the orzo is finished to make sure they soften with out turning into mushy.

For inexperienced beans, reduce into bite-sized items and add them over the last 5 minutes of cooking for the perfect texture.

If utilizing softer veggies like spinach or cherry tomatoes, stir them in after turning off the warmth and allow them to wilt from the residual heat.

The Proper Pan

Dimension Issues: Go for a big, deep skillet (12 inches or greater). It offers the hen and orzo loads of room to prepare dinner evenly and retains the whole lot from spilling out while you stir.

Lid Required: You’ll want a lid to cowl the pan whereas the orzo cooks. In case your skillet doesn’t have one, no worries—simply cowl it tightly with foil.

No skillet? No downside! A large, shallow Dutch oven or braiser works like a allure.