Description
This vibrant Lemon Orzo Chicken recipe combines tender shredded chicken with tender-crisp asparagus, sweet peas, and leeks simmered with orzo pasta in a lemon-infused low-salt stock. Finished with creamy low-fat crème fraîche and fresh chives, this dish offers a bright, comforting, and nourishing meal ideal for a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Herbs
- 2 leeks, halved and finely sliced
- 150g asparagus, roughly chopped into 4cm lengths
- 250g frozen peas
- ½ small bunch of chives, chopped (reserve some for garnish)
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
Proteins and Dairy
- 250g cooked chicken, shredded
- 2 tbsp low-fat crème fraîche
Pantry Staples
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 300g orzo pasta
- 500ml low-salt chicken or vegetable stock
Instructions
- Prepare the leeks: Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the sliced leeks and fry for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Halfway through, add a splash of boiling water from the kettle to help steam the leeks slightly and soften them.
- Cook the orzo and vegetables: Add the orzo pasta, chopped asparagus, and low-salt stock to the pan. Increase the heat to high and cook for 10 minutes, stirring continuously to prevent sticking, until the orzo is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
- Combine remaining ingredients: Stir in the low-fat crème fraîche, lemon zest and juice, shredded cooked chicken, frozen peas, and most of the chopped chives. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Warm through: Keep the pan on the heat for 3-4 minutes to warm the chicken and peas thoroughly. If the mixture seems too thick, add a splash of water to loosen it slightly.
- Serve: Divide the lemon orzo chicken between bowls. Garnish with the remaining chopped chives and serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- Using cooked chicken saves time; leftover or rotisserie chicken works well.
- Adjust lemon juice and zest to your taste for more or less citrus brightness.
- Low-salt stock helps control sodium content in the dish.
- Stir continuously while cooking orzo to prevent it from sticking to the pan.
- You can substitute crème fraîche with Greek yogurt for a tangier flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keywords: lemon orzo chicken, quick chicken recipe, one-pan chicken dinner, healthy chicken pasta, Mediterranean chicken orzo
