One-Pot Lemon Orzo Chicken Peas (Print Version)

Tender chicken, lemon zest, creamy orzo, and sweet peas come together for an easy spring one-pot meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 14 oz), cut into 1-inch pieces

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 cup frozen green peas, thawed
03 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - Zest and juice of 1 large lemon
06 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

→ Grains & Pasta

07 - 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta, uncooked

→ Dairy

08 - 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
09 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

→ Liquids

10 - 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth

→ Oils & Seasonings

11 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
12 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
13 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, or as needed
14 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

# How to Make It:

01 - Warm olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and season with salt, pepper, and dried oregano. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes, turning occasionally, until chicken is golden and just cooked through. Remove chicken to a plate.
02 - In the same pot, melt unsalted butter. Add finely chopped onion and cook for 3 minutes until translucent. Stir in minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
03 - Add uncooked orzo pasta and toast for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring frequently until lightly golden.
04 - Pour in low-sodium chicken broth. Bring mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 7 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
05 - Return sautéed chicken to the pot, along with thawed green peas, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Stir thoroughly. Cook uncovered for 4 to 5 minutes, or until orzo is al dente and most liquid is absorbed.
06 - Remove the pot from heat. Fold in grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley. Adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve warm, garnished with additional lemon zest or Parmesan.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • The lemony tang tastes extra fresh, like spring sneaking onto your plate.
  • Cleanup is a breeze since all the magic happens in one pot—ideal for evenings when you just need ease.
02 -
  • If you forget to stir the orzo, it can stick to the bottom and turn gluey—learned this from scraping after a distracted phone call.
  • Adding lemon zest as well as juice makes the flavor shine much brighter—without it, the dish tastes flatter.
03 -
  • To get the creamiest texture, pull the dish off the heat before the orzo is fully dry—it thickens as it cools.
  • Use the largest pot you have so you get plenty of room for stirring and avoid stuck orzo.
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