With a powerhouse combination of lemon, herbs, and garlic in a creamy sauce, this deliciously comforting chicken and pasta dish is sure to please!
We recently had a small dinner party at our home, and this is one of the pasta dishes I served. I'd actually planned on having this dish be the star of the table but then I got nervous. I was cooking for new friends for the first time, and I began to doubt myself. I worried that the guests wouldn’t like it or think it was weird. I don’t know, man, sometimes those random negative thoughts get to me for no reason, you know?
So, in a flurry of self-doubt, I made an additional pasta dish that was more on the traditional red sauce side. For a moment, I felt comfortable but then I began to worry that all of the kids that were coming wouldn’t like either of the pastas. So, what do I do, I made a homemade three-cheese pizza. Those negative thoughts are something else, right?
Y’all, I had absolutely no reason at all to worry. Everyone devoured this pasta dish in a matter of minutes! And really, why wouldn’t they? Perfectly seasoned chicken, creamy sauce, notes of lemon, and tender orzo? I mean it’s layers of flavor, what’s not to love? This dish received great reviews (and so did I, which was nice).
For this Creamy Lemon Chicken & Orzo recipe, you’ll need:
Chicken
I typically use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for this recipe. The dish comes together so quickly that there really isn’t any risk of the chicken drying out. However, boneless, skinless chicken thighs are also delicious. In a pinch? A store-bought rotisserie chicken will cut the time in half.
Chicken Stock
I make my own chicken stock because it’s just so easy and tastes so much better than anything found in a store, in my opinion. However, if you use store-bought stock, look for a high-quality one like Target’s store brand, Good & Gather. They have an organic chicken stock that was ranked the best-tasting store-bought version by the New York Times.
Orzo
Also known as risoni, is a form of short-cut pasta shaped like a large grain of rice.
Lemon Juice and Lemon Zest
To ensure we’re getting that fresh lemon flavor in every bite, we are adding it wherever we can. Lemon zest contains lemon oil, which is where you’ll find the most flavor. When using the grater, you want to stop when you reach the white pith. This has a very bitter taste, and we definitely don’t want that! I typically do two scrubs against the grater then move the fruit slightly to get more zest.
Onions and Garlic
Garlic and onion both offer delicious umami flavor.
Herbs and Spices
When it comes to adding flavor, the right herbs and spices are key. Aromatic powerhouses like oregano and basil are sure to add a mouthwatering goodness to every bite! For this recipe I used my fresh herbs that I dehydrated with my Excalibur Dehydrator. If you're using fresh herbs, you’ll want to use 3 teaspoons for every teaspoon of dried.
Cheese
I always recommend shredding the cheese yourself rather than purchasing pre-shredded. Freshly shredded melts better because it doesn’t have the additional preservatives that keep it from caking together.
White Wine
Adding a little wine goes a long way! It can help to add acidity and brightness to the dish. It will also help to tenderize the meat while it cooks.
Heavy Cream
For that delicious, creamy consistency, you don’t want to skimp out on this ingredient. You can also add milk or omit it if you must, but the overall thickness and richness of the sauce may suffer.
Serves 6
Ingredients
Marinade
2 Tablespoons water
2 Tablespoons white cooking wine
1 Tablespoon Infused Oil
10 cloves garlic
½ teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
½ teaspoon dried basil
¼ teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Combine all ingredients in a resealable bag. Add chicken and marinate for at least 2 to 4 hours, though overnight is best for maximum flavor.
Chicken & Orzo
4 boneless, skinless chicken, approximately ¼” thick and cut into 1” pieces
2 cups orzo
4 cups chicken stock
¼ cup white cooking wine
1½ cups heavy whipping cream
1 medium onion, chopped
6 cloves garlic, minced
½ teaspoon dried basil
½ teaspoon dried parsley
¼ teaspoon dried oregano
⅔ cup freshly shredded mozzarella
⅓ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
⅓ cup freshly grated Asiago cheese
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Zest of one large lemon
Directions
In a small saucepan, bring 3 cups chicken stock to boil and prepare orzo according to package directions, approximately 7 minutes.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook chicken pieces in one teaspoon of oil until browned on all sides and internal temperature is 165 degrees.
Remove cooked chicken to a plate and set aside.
Add a little more oil to the pan if needed, then sauté the onions for approximately 2 minutes or until tender. Add garlic and sauté an additional minute or until fragrant.
Deglaze pan by carefully adding white wine. Allow to simmer for approximately 2-3 minutes, scraping any brown bits on the pan.
Add heavy cream, the remaining one cup of chicken stock, lemon zest, and juice to the pan.
Add in the cheeses and allow them to melt while stirring constantly.
Return chicken to pan. Carefully combine orzo with chicken and sauce mixture.
Turn off heat and cover with lid. Let the mixture rest for approximately 5 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
It can be so easy to let those negative thoughts, doubts, and anxieties creep into our happiness. If we’re not mindful of it and the havoc it can wreak, it can destroy parts of our life. If you struggle with this like millions of people do, I encourage you to be kind to yourself and try to reframe your thoughts. And if you suffer daily from negative thoughts, please know that help is available through your primary care physician, therapy, and through hotlines like the suicide prevention hotline (phone number 998 in the United States and Canda). You can find your country’s suicide prevention hotline here.
If you enjoyed this Creamy Lemon Chicken and Orzo recipe, would you let us know in the comments below? We love hearing from you!
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