Description
A delightful one-pot dish featuring tender chicken, creamy orzo, and vibrant broccoli, all enhanced by zesty lemon and cracked black pepper.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
- 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups small broccoli florets
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Toss chicken pieces with pepper, half the lemon zest, and ½ teaspoon salt.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, add chicken and cook until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet.
- Add diced onion to the same skillet and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
- Stir in orzo and toast for one minute.
- Pour in chicken broth and sprinkle in remaining salt. Return chicken to skillet, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and cover, simmering for 8 minutes.
- Uncover and add broccoli, cover again and cook for 3-4 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp.
- Fold in butter, lemon juice, Parmesan cheese, and remaining lemon zest. Stir until well blended. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Transfer to serving bowls and garnish with fresh parsley.
Notes
For a healthier option, consider using an air fryer for the chicken or baking it while cooking the orzo separately. You can also customize with different veggies or protein.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 75mg