One Skillet Lemon Chicken and Orzo

One Skillet Lemon Chicken and Orzo features a bright burst of lemon paired with hearty kale and creamy orzo for the perfect family dinner recipe that’s nutritionally balanced, full of flavor, and made in one pan for easy clean up! 

Gluten Free, Nut Free, Egg Free, Soy Free, Dairy Free option

I finally wrapped a huge recipe project I’ve been working on, so I’m excited to get back to creating and sharing family meals that are simple, nutritious and delicious! And we’re starting with this One Skillet Lemon Chicken and Orzo.

When we’re not grilling, summer meals need to be EASY. Truthfully, I don’t really mind turning on my oven or using the stove because my house is a freezer with the AC blasting, but who wants a heavy, hot meal when it’s 90 degrees out?! Not me!

This meal comes together in a cast iron skillet, right on the stove, in just 30 minutes!

You’ll love this One Skillet Lemon Chicken and Orzo that’s…

• Full of flavor
• Easy to make
• Balanced and nutritious
• Perfect to feed your family
• Customizable (see below for other variations you could try based on your family’s preferences)

I’ve seen “one skillet” meals all over the internet for years, but I never realized how much I would really need to rely on them once I had kids. Making 3 meals (+ SNACKS) every day can become exhausting!

How to Feed This One Skillet Meal to Your Entire Family

This meal has 3 components so your entire family will find some part (or all!!) that they’ll love:

1. Perfectly cooked chicken – This recipe uses boneless, skinless chicken thighs, which are super flavorful and easy to eat.
2. Orzo – This is a great way to expose kids who love pasta to pasta with a bit of a “sauce.” It becomes a beautiful yellow/orange color, but it’s not saucy for those picky eaters.
3. Kale – While this may not be the most kid-friendly component of the meal (my kids won’t touch it, so you’re not alone!), but you can easily remove the chicken and orzo and then add the kale to keep the components separate.

Ingredients You’ll Need to Make One Skillet Lemon Chicken and Orzo

There are a few more ingredients you’ll need to make this one skillet recipe, including:

1. Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs – If you avoid dark meat because it contains more fat and calories, think again! While chicken thighs may contain slightly more fat than a chicken breast, they are super flavorful, so they can also be more satisfying. You could always swap in chicken breasts if you prefer that here!
2. Butter adds a hearty richness to this recipe and glossy orzo! To make dairy free, use a dairy free butter or simply swap in more olive oil.
3. Lemon and chicken go so well together! You’ll brown the lemon slices in this recipe so they are super delicious!
4. Shallots are my favorite aromatic to cook with. They have a more delicate flavor than the sharp flavor of an onion.
5. Garlic – do I need a reason?
6. Orzo cooks super quickly, which is why I use it in this recipe. You could also use a whole wheat orzo.
7. Kale or any other leafy green goes great in this recipe, thanks to its earthy flavor. Not a fan of kale? Swap in spinach, collard greens, or any other green you love!
8. White wine is used to deglaze the pan and add additional flavor. While the alcohol cooks off, you could always use more broth if you prefer.
9. Chicken or vegetable broth adds another layer of flavor to the orzo and this entire dish. Use whatever you have in your pantry!
10. Dried thyme with lemon and chicken is just so good! You can use dried thyme, if you wish!

Kitchen Tools to Make One Skillet Lemon Chicken and Orzo

This is a one skillet dish, so you only need a few kitchen tools to make this recipe, including:

• Large cast iron skillet
• 2 pairs tongs (one for raw chicken, the other for cooked, or you can clean in between)
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Extra plate

How to Make One Skillet Lemon Chicken and Orzo

These types of recipes always look more complex than they actually are. There are just a few steps you’ll need to follow…

1. First, you’ll cook the chicken. Season it and then sear it in a cast iron skillet on both sides. When the chicken is fully cooked, remove it from the skillet onto a plate.
2. Next, you’ll brown the lemons to caramelize the flavor. I like to use butter for this step for added flavor, but you could also use oil.
3. Then you’ll cook the orzo and kale… obviously with some aromatics for an extra layer of flavor. You’ll cook off the wine first, then the chicken/vegetable broth. Like cooking pasta, you’ll bring it to a boil, and then continue cooking until all the liquid is absorbed.
4. Last, you’ll nestle the chicken and lemon slices back into the skillet. Let cook for another 5 minutes. Be careful not to burn the bottom, however, if you want the bottom more well done (a la paella style), you can let it cook a little more without stirring it around. Serve warm.

Other Chicken Recipes You’ll Love

• Baked Yogurt Chicken Breasts
• Moroccan Roasted Chicken
• Creamy Chicken and Tomato Pasta with Veggies
• One Pan Spiced Chicken Thighs and Butternut Squash
• Mediterranean Sheet Pan Eggplant and Chicken

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