Lemon Rooster and Orzo – The Keep At Residence Chef

With contemporary, shiny lemon and herbs, this one-pot meal is our favourite option to efficiently pull off a home-cooked meal through the busy workweek. This straightforward recipe covers all your bases—prepared in simply 45 minutes and tremendous flavorful whereas nonetheless being a lighter possibility that doesn’t go away 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 easy dish and pairs effectively with the lemon hen, maintaining issues attention-grabbing so that you don’t must fall again on boring, boiled pasta. Whenever you want a fast and simple dinner with minimal cleanup, this Lemon Rooster and Orzo is the right answer.

Ingredient Notes

• Rooster Breasts: It’s also possible to use boneless thighs should you favor darker meat. Simply be certain to chop them into bite-size items and trim off any fats.
• Olive Oil: Substitute with any impartial cooking oil, equivalent to vegetable or canola oil.
• Rooster Broth: Utilizing a low-sodium possibility means that you can finest 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 at all times has the most effective 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 package deal for the most effective outcomes.
• Parmesan Cheese: Freshly shredded or grated Parmesan at all times melts the most effective.

Rooster Choices

Rotisserie Rooster: In the event you’re in a rush, rotisserie hen is a improbable 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 few minutes of cooking.

Leftover Rooster: Acquired 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 option to reduce waste and provides new life to leftovers.

Rooster Thighs: In the event you favor darkish meat, boneless hen thighs are a tasty different 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’d hen breasts.

Add Veggies

Simply add some coloration to this one-pot dish by incorporating contemporary 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 completed to make sure they soften with out changing into mushy.

For inexperienced beans, reduce into bite-sized items and add them over the last 5 minutes of cooking for the most effective 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 provides the hen and orzo loads of room to prepare dinner evenly and retains every thing from spilling out whenever 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 attraction.