One-Pot Lemon Herb Chicken & Orzo

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-04 · Updated 2026-04-04

A bright, creamy pasta dish with tender chicken and zesty lemon. This Mediterranean-inspired one-pot recipe (gluten-free, high-protein), ready in about 35 minutes, pairs chicken breasts, orzo pasta, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 580 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 12 oz chicken breasts
• 8 oz orzo pasta
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lemon
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1.5 cups chicken broth
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Cut 12 oz chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes, season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper, then heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 5-6 minutes until golden brown and cooked through, then remove and set aside.
2. Step 2: Add remaining 1 tbsp olive oil to the skillet, then stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp dried oregano. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, then add 8 oz orzo pasta and stir to coat.
3. Step 3: Pour in 1.5 cups chicken broth and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is tender but still has a slight bite, adding 2 tbsp lemon juice and 1/4 cup reserved pasta water if needed.
4. Step 4: Stir in 1 cup heavy cream and the cooked chicken, then simmer for 2 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat, stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.