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Easy One-Pot Lemon Chicken Orzo with Fresh Asparagus

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A quick and easy one-pot meal featuring tender chicken thighs, creamy orzo, and fresh asparagus with bright lemon flavor, perfect for spring meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 cup orzo pasta (about 180 grams)
  • 1 bunch fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 3 cups chicken broth (low-sodium preferred)
  • 1 large lemon, juice and zest
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (about 25 grams)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken thighs and cook 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown but not fully cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. Lower heat to medium and add minced garlic to the same pan. Stir for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Add orzo and chicken broth to the pan, stirring to combine and scraping any browned bits from the bottom. Bring to a gentle boil.
  5. Nestle the browned chicken thighs back into the orzo mixture. Reduce heat to low, cover with lid, and simmer gently for 10 minutes.
  6. Stir in asparagus pieces, cover again, and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes until orzo is tender, chicken is cooked through (internal temp 165°F), and asparagus is crisp-tender.
  7. Remove pan from heat. Stir in lemon juice, lemon zest, and grated Parmesan cheese. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed.
  8. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

If orzo absorbs too much liquid before tender, add a splash of broth or water and continue cooking. Use fresh lemon zest for best flavor. Trim asparagus properly to avoid tough ends. Stir gently after adding orzo to prevent mushiness. For dairy-free option, omit Parmesan or substitute with nutritional yeast. Chicken breasts can be used but adjust cooking time to avoid drying out.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pot meal, lemon chicken, orzo, asparagus, spring recipe, quick dinner, easy chicken recipe

Find it online: https://realityeats.com/easy-one-pot-lemon-chicken-orzo-with-fresh-asparagus-recipe-perfect-for-spring-meals/