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Creamy One-Pan Lemon Orzo with Crispy Chicken Thighs

creamy one-pan lemon orzo - featured image
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A simple, bright, and comforting one-pan meal featuring tender lemony orzo and crispy chicken thighs cooked together in a creamy sauce. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • 1 ½ cups orzo pasta (about 270g)
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth (about 950ml)
  • 1 cup heavy cream (240ml)
  • Zest and juice of 1 large lemon (about 2 tbsp juice)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small shallot or half a yellow onion, finely chopped
  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (about 50g)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley or thyme, chopped
  • Salt (about 1 tsp) and pepper (about ½ tsp)

Instructions

  1. Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season liberally with salt and pepper. Let rest while prepping other ingredients.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken thighs skin-side down and cook without moving for 6-7 minutes until skin is golden and crisp. Flip and cook another 4 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate and tent with foil.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Add chopped shallot (or onion) and minced garlic to the pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  4. Add orzo pasta to the pan, stirring to coat in oil and aromatics. Toast for about 2 minutes until lightly golden.
  5. Pour in chicken broth, heavy cream, lemon zest and juice, and season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer.
  6. Reduce heat to low and cover the pan. Cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until orzo absorbs most liquid and becomes creamy.
  7. Nestle chicken thighs back into the orzo, skin-side up. Cover and cook another 8-10 minutes over low heat until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and orzo is tender.
  8. Remove from heat. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh herbs. Adjust seasoning if needed.
  9. Serve creamy lemon orzo topped with crispy chicken thighs and garnish with extra lemon zest or herbs if desired.

Notes

Pat chicken skin dry thoroughly for best crispiness. Avoid overcrowding the pan when searing chicken. Toast orzo before simmering to add nutty flavor and prevent mushiness. Use fresh lemon juice and zest for brightness. Add more broth or cream if orzo becomes too thick. Reheat chicken separately to maintain crispiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pan dinner, lemon orzo, crispy chicken thighs, creamy pasta, easy weeknight meal, comfort food

Find it online: https://morselora.com/creamy-one-pan-lemon-orzo-with-crispy-chicken-thighs-easy-recipe/