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Lemon Pepper Chicken Broccoli Orzo Easy Weeknight Dinner

LEMON PEPPER CHICKEN BROCCOLI ORZO centered hero view, clean and uncluttered
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Lemon Pepper Chicken Broccoli Orzo is a simple and flavorful one pot chicken recipe perfect for an easy dinner or weeknight meal. Made with fresh ingredients, it’s a quick pasta dinner the whole family will enjoy.

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

  1. Coat the chicken pieces evenly with black pepper, half of the lemon zest, and half a teaspoon of salt.
  2. Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook the chicken for about 5 minutes, stirring now and then, until it gets a light brown color. Remove the chicken and place it aside.
  3. Add the diced onion to the same skillet and cook, stirring frequently, for 3 minutes until softened, then add garlic and cook until fragrant for 30 seconds.
  4. Stir the orzo into the onion and garlic, allowing it to lightly toast for 1 minute.
  5. Pour in the chicken broth with the remaining salt, return the chicken to the skillet, and bring everything to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 8 minutes.
  6. Remove the cover and add the broccoli florets. Cover again and cook for an additional 3 to 4 minutes until the broccoli is crisp-tender and the orzo is cooked to al dente.
  7. Mix in the butter, lemon juice, Parmesan cheese, and the rest of the lemon zest until creamy and fully combined. Adjust salt and pepper according to taste.
  8. Serve the dish in bowls garnished with fresh parsley.

Notes

  • Quick cleanup since everything cooks in a single skillet
  • Toasting the orzo before adding liquid adds a nutty flavor
  • Be generous with freshly cracked black pepper to enhance taste
  • For meal prep, slightly undercook the broccoli to retain its vibrancy after reheating

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.amgroyal.com/lemon-pepper-chicken-broccoli-orzo-easy-dinner/