Description

This One Skillet Lemon Butter Chicken and Orzo recipe offers a delightful combination of tender chicken seared to golden perfection, paired with creamy orzo pasta infused with fragrant lemon, garlic, and fresh kale. Cooked entirely in a single skillet and finished in the oven, it’s a comforting and elegant meal perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Searing

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 pound chicken breasts or small thighs
Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
1 Meyer or regular lemon, sliced
2 tablespoons butter

Pasta and Broth

1 clove garlic, minced or grated
1 cup orzo pasta
1/3 cup white wine
2 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth

Greens and Garnish

1/2 a bunch kale, roughly torn
Juice of 1 lemon
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare Skillet: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Heat the olive oil in a large dutch oven or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.
Sear the Chicken: Season chicken breasts or thighs with kosher salt and pepper all over. Once the oil is shimmering, add the chicken to the skillet and sear each side until golden, about 3-5 minutes per side. Remove the chicken and set aside on a plate.
Sear the Lemon: In the same skillet, add the butter and lemon slices. Sear the lemon slices until golden brown on each side, about 1 minute. Remove the lemon slices and place them with the chicken.
Toast Garlic and Orzo: Add minced garlic and orzo pasta to the skillet. Cook, stirring frequently, until the garlic is fragrant and the orzo is lightly toasted, about 2-3 minutes.
Deglaze and Simmer: Pour the white wine into the skillet to deglaze, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Then add the chicken broth, torn kale, and lemon juice. Stir well and bring the mixture to a boil over high heat.
Combine and Roast: Slide the seared chicken breasts or thighs, the seared lemon slices, and any accumulated juices back into the skillet. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and roast uncovered for 15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the orzo is tender.
Finish and Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven. Serve the chicken and orzo topped with fresh chopped dill and additional lemon zest if desired. Enjoy your flavorful and wholesome meal!

Notes

Using a cast iron skillet or dutch oven ensures even cooking and good heat retention.
If you don’t have white wine, you can substitute with extra chicken broth or a splash of lemon juice for acidity.
To make this dish dairy-free, substitute butter with olive oil or a plant-based butter alternative.
Chicken thighs offer more flavor and juiciness but chicken breasts work well for a leaner option.
Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper after cooking as needed.
Make sure the orzo is completely tender before serving; you can add a little more broth during roasting if needed.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Roasting
Cuisine: American

Keywords: lemon butter chicken, one skillet chicken, orzo recipe, chicken and pasta skillet, easy dinner, weeknight meal, cast iron skillet chicken, lemon chicken with orzo