A creamy dinner for two that comes together in one skillet. A chicken breast covered with fresh herbs cooked in a creamy lemon and lime orzo drizzled with honey.
This one skillet meal is a creamy and yet refreshing dinner that only needs a complementary green salad.
Key Ingredients in This Recipe
- Chicken – I used chicken breast; the most protein per weight of all chicken parts.
- Orzo – the rice shaped pasta that likes swimming in creamy sauces.
- Cream – just a little bit to get that creamy effect.
- Lemon and lime – the refreshing element of this recipe.
- Honey – to offset the mouth puckering effect of the lemon and lime.
- Fresh herbs – I used a combination of parsley, oregano, thyme and basil.
How to make One Skillet Herb Chicken & Lemon-Lime Orzo
Recently I bought a Meater, this is a wireless meat thermometer and is a cook-changing experience. You never have to worry whether you under- or overcook your meat/poultry or fish; set your desired internal temperature and the Meater will tell you when you meat is ready. (This is not a sponsored post)
Step 1 – Rub the chicken breast with salt & pepper and then cover with fresh herbs.
Add olive oil to a skillet and cook chicken breast on both sides, 2-3 minutes each.
Step 2 – Transfer the chicken breast to a plate and add orzo to the skillet. Allow the orzo to toast a few minutes in the skillet.
Step 3 – Add chicken stock to the orzo and when mixed, add the lemon and lime slices. Add the chicken breast back into the skillet and allow to cook until done or reached internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
Step 4 – When the chicken breast are done, transfer them onto a plate. Then add cream to the skillet and stir.
Step 5 – Add honey and mix everything together. Taste and add salt & pepper if necessary.
Step 6 – Divide orzo over two plates and serve the chicken breasts on top. Enjoy!
Alternatives and Substitutes
- Chicken – instead of chicken breast, you can use chicken thighs or turkey. Other alternatives may be pork. You can use rotisserie chicken, but since that chicken is already cooked it will not absorb the flavors of the herbs and the lemon and lime.
- Orzo – in theory, every pasta could work, but the small shaped ones will do best. So think about pearl couscous, fregola or pastina or ring pasta.
- Lemon and lime – lemon alone will work as well.
- Honey – you can leave this out or pick a particular honey that you like.
- Fresh herbs – dried herbs will work as well or an alternative combination that you like to use with chicken. The general rule of thumb is: 1 tablespoon of fresh herbs can be replaced by 1 teaspoon of dried herbs.
Other One Skillet Recipe to Try:
- One Pan Chicken and Veggies Hustle
- Chicken with Potatoes in Coconut Sauce
- Creamy Kale and Salmon in Orzo
I hope you will enjoy One Skillet Herb Chicken & Lemon-Lime Orzo. Mention @agourmetfoodblog or use the tag #agourmetfoodblog when posting a picture of your recipe, and make sure to follow me on Instagram, Facebook or Pinterest.
One Skillet Herb Chicken & Lemon-Lime Orzo
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts boneless
- salt & pepper
- fresh herbs basil, oregano, parsley, thyme
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup orzo
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 lemon sliced
- 1 lime sliced
- 1/4 cup cream
- 1 tablespoon honey
Instructions
- Salt and pepper the chicken breast and cover them on both sides with the finely chopped fresh herbs. (NOTE 1)
- Add olive oil to a skillet and add the chicken breast. Sear the chicken breasts on both sides for about 2-3 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate.
- Add the orzo to the skillet and toast for 1-2 minutes.
- Add the chicken stock and stir.
- Add the lemon and lime slices and add the chicken breast back into the skillet. Cook for about 20 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken indicates 165 degrees F. (NOTE 2)
- Transfer the chicken breast onto a plate, and add cream and honey to the skillet. Stir until warm and well blended and incorporated.
- Add the chicken back in and coat with the sauce.
- Divide orzo over 2 plates and top with the chicken breast.
Notes
- Any combination of fresh herbs can work; it all depends on the flavor combination you like. I have a combination of parsley, oregano, thyme and basil.
- The internal temperature can be measure with a food thermometer or with a Meater (this is my favorite WiFi Meat Thermometer).
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