Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
- 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups small broccoli florets
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Toss chicken pieces with black pepper, half the lemon zest, and ½ teaspoon salt until evenly coated.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add chicken and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned. Remove chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Add onion to skillet and cook for 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until softened.
- Incorporate garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir orzo into onion mixture and cook for 1 minute, allowing pasta to lightly toast.
- Pour in chicken broth and remaining salt.
- Return chicken to skillet and bring mixture to a boil.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and cover. Simmer for 8 minutes.
- Uncover skillet and stir in broccoli florets. Cover again and cook for 3–4 minutes, until broccoli is crisp-tender and orzo is al dente.
- Fold in butter, lemon juice, Parmesan cheese, and remaining lemon zest. Stir until melted and creamy.
- Taste and adjust salt or pepper as needed.
- Transfer skillet contents to serving bowls and garnish with fresh parsley.
Notes
To ensure tender chicken, avoid overcooking it. Use fresh lemon juice for extra flavor and consider adding red pepper flakes for heat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten-Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 75mg