Lemon Herb Chicken Orzo Skillet (Printable)

Tender chicken and orzo pasta simmered in a bright lemon sauce with fresh herbs and peas—a light, comforting one-pan meal.

# What You Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 1.1 lbs), cut into bite-sized pieces

→ Pasta & Grains

02 - 1 cup orzo pasta

→ Vegetables

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

→ Liquids

07 - 2.5 cups low-sodium chicken broth

→ Herbs & Seasonings

08 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
09 - 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried dill)
10 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
11 - 0.5 teaspoon salt, or to taste
12 - 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

→ Fats

13 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

# Steps:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and sauté for 5-6 minutes until lightly golden. Remove chicken to a plate and set aside.
02 - In the same skillet, add chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Stir in orzo, coating it in the oil and aromatics for 1-2 minutes to develop flavor.
04 - Pour in chicken broth and add oregano, lemon zest, and half the parsley and dill. Bring to a simmer.
05 - Return chicken and any accumulated juices to the skillet. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
06 - Add peas and lemon juice. Continue to cook uncovered for 5-8 minutes, stirring frequently, until orzo reaches al dente texture and most liquid is absorbed.
07 - Remove from heat. Adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with remaining fresh herbs and serve while warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The way the lemon brightens everything without overwhelming the comforting richness
  • That perfect moment when the orzo has absorbed just enough sauce to become creamy but still holds its shape
02 -
  • Resist the urge to add extra liquid, the orzo will release starch and naturally thicken the sauce
  • The lemon juice goes in near the end, otherwise it can become bitter during long cooking
03 -
  • Cut your chicken into uniform pieces so everything finishes cooking at the same time
  • Taste the broth before adding salt, since different brands vary wildly in sodium
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