One-Pan Lemon Chicken & Orzo

Servings: 4  |  Prep: 10 minutes

This one-pan lemon chicken & orzo recipe is the perfect meal to to whip up on busy weeknights (or when you're looking for a fancy dinner party main).

Adapted from Olivia Mack McCool

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 lb. bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (4 to 6 thighs)
• 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
• 1 tbsp. kosher salt, divided
• 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 medium shallot, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp. unsalted butter
• 1 1/2 c. dry orzo
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 heaping tbsp. capers
• 3/4 c. dry white wine
• 3 c. low-sodium chicken broth and/or water
• 5 oz. baby spinach
• 1/2 c. heavy cream
• 4 oz. feta, broken into large pieces
• Zest and juice of 1 lemon
• Chopped fresh dill and parsley, for serving

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°. Pat chicken dry with paper towels; season with pepper and 1 teaspoon salt.
2. In a large, high-sided, ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil until shimmering. Arrange chicken skin side down in skillet in a single layer. Cook, undisturbed, until skin is golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Flip and cook until second side is golden brown, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
3. Reduce heat to medium. Cook shallots and butter, stirring, until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Add orzo, garlic, and capers; season with remaining 2 teaspoons salt. Cook, stirring often, until orzo is lightly toasted and fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Add wine and scrape up any browned bits from bottom of pan. Pour in broth and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring frequently to prevent sticking, until liquid is slightly reduced, about 5 minutes.
4. Stir in spinach and cream until spinach is wilted. Return chicken to pan skin side up, along with any accumulated juices.
5. Transfer skillet to oven and bake, uncovered, until chicken is cooked through and orzo is tender, about 15 minutes. 
6. Top with feta, lemon zest, lemon juice, dill, and parsley.

Nutrition (per serving)

Glycemic Load

Recipe extracted and analyzed with Glyc