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Chicken pasta with lemon in a white bowl with a fork sitting on a wooden board.
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Lemon Chicken Orzo Pasta

Lemon chicken orzo pasta is a one-pot creamy pasta dish made with rotisserie chicken, orzo and baby spinach. A quick and easy weeknight dinner in just 23 minutes.
Course Main
Cuisine International
Total Time 23 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 609kcal
Author Lee-Ann Grace

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 brown onion diced
  • 4 fresh garlic cloves crushed
  • 1 tablespoon salted butter
  • ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
  • ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ¼ teaspoon dried basil
  • 250 g orzo (risoni) pasta
  • 3½ cups chicken stock hot
  • ⅔ cup thickened cream heavy cream
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon fresh black pepper
  • 200 g shredded rotisserie chicken
  • 30 g fresh parmesan grated (plus extra to serve - optional)
  • 120 g baby spinach
  • chopped fresh parsley optional garnish
  • lemon slices optional garnish
Metric - US customary

Instructions

  • In a large pan or skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat and fry the onion until it starts to soften.
    1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 brown onion
  • Add the crushed garlic and fry for a further 30 seconds.
    4 fresh garlic cloves
  • Add butter, dried herbs and orzo and fry for another 30 seconds.
    1 tablespoon salted butter, ¼ teaspoon dried thyme, ¼ teaspoon dried oregano, ¼ teaspoon dried basil, 250 g orzo (risoni) pasta
  • Stir in stock, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, pepper and cream, then bring to a simmer.
    3½ cups chicken stock, ⅔ cup thickened cream, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon fresh black pepper
  • Simmer (uncovered) for 10 minutes.
  • Add shredded chicken, parmesan and baby spinach, then stir until spinach is wilted and chicken is heated through.
    200 g shredded rotisserie chicken, 30 g fresh parmesan, 120 g baby spinach
  • Sprinkle with extra parmesan cheese, chopped parsley and add lemon slices to serve (optional).
    chopped fresh parsley, lemon slices

Video

Notes

  • This sauce will thicken as it cools. Stir in an extra splash of water or stock to thin it out as needed.
*Please note that the nutrition facts and amount of calories per serve are provided as a guide only, as ingredients and cooking methods can vary greatly*

Nutrition

Calories: 609kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 109mg | Sodium: 733mg | Potassium: 740mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 3625IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 163mg | Iron: 3mg