Description
A light and refreshing pasta dish featuring tender chicken, zesty lemon, and fresh basil, perfect for a quick and flavorful dinner.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon butter
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add diced chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add remaining olive oil and garlic. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add orzo and toast for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer and cook for 8-10 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and liquid is mostly absorbed.
- Stir in cooked chicken, lemon zest, lemon juice, butter, and Parmesan cheese. Mix until well combined.
- Remove from heat and fold in chopped basil just before serving.
Notes
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in lemon juice and herbs for 30 minutes before cooking.
- Substitute basil with parsley or spinach if desired.
- This dish pairs well with a green salad or roasted vegetables.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 75mg