Description
A comforting and vibrant one-pan Lemon Chicken Orzo Pasta combining tender rotisserie chicken, fresh kale, and zesty lemon in a creamy, herb-infused sauce. Ready in 30 minutes, this easy stovetop recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that feels fresh and satisfying.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon rubbed sage
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
- 2 cups finely chopped kale
- 1 cup shredded rotisserie chicken
- 1 cup half and half, plus more as needed
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped herbs (such as parsley and dill)
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Fresh cracked pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Heat Butter: Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a large pan over medium heat until fully melted and starting to bubble.
- Sauté Onion: Add the diced half yellow onion to the pan with a pinch of salt and freshly cracked pepper. Cook while stirring frequently for about 4 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant.
- Add Aromatics and Spices: Stir in the minced garlic, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon rubbed sage, and season with salt and pepper again. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly to prevent the garlic from burning.
- Deglaze Pan: Pour in a few splashes of the chicken broth and use a spatula to scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan, enhancing the flavor base.
- Add Main Ingredients: Stir in the uncooked orzo pasta, finely chopped kale, shredded rotisserie chicken, the remaining chicken broth, and 1 cup of half and half. Season again with salt and pepper to taste.
- Simmer: Cover the pan and bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat, stirring every couple of minutes to prevent the orzo from sticking. Once simmering, reduce heat to low and cook gently for 5-7 minutes, or until the orzo is al dente. Add more half and half if the mixture appears too dry before the pasta finishes cooking.
- Finish and Season: Stir in the lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, and chopped fresh herbs like parsley and dill. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately and enjoy your flavorful lemon chicken orzo pasta.
- Optional: If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a 5-star rating and review to help others find this delicious meal!
Notes
- You can substitute half and half with heavy cream or whole milk for a richer or lighter sauce respectively.
- For a vegetarian option, replace chicken broth with vegetable broth and omit the rotisserie chicken.
- If you prefer more tang, add extra lemon juice to brighten the dish further.
- Be sure to stir frequently during simmering to prevent the orzo from sticking to the pan.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop with a splash of broth or milk to loosen the sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
