Lemon & Herb Roasted Chicken and Orzo

A simple and flavorful one-pan meal featuring juicy roasted chicken and creamy orzo pasta infused with bright lemon and fresh herbs. Minimal cleanup!

Prep Time

15 minutes

Total Time

45 minutes

Calories

650

Level

Easy

Yields

4 servings

Cost

£2.04

Season:

Meal Type:

Cuisine:

Main Ingredient:

Cooking Style:

Quick & Easy•Roasting

Mood:

Comfort Food•Healthy

Ingredients

Servings

4piecesBone-in, skin-on chicken thighs(Approximately 6-8 ounces each. Can substitute with chicken breasts, but adjust cooking time.)

£3.50

1cupOrzo pasta(Uncooked)

£0.60

2cupsChicken broth(Low sodium preferred)

£0.75

1mediumLemon(Zest and juice)

£0.50

2tablespoonsOlive oil(Extra virgin olive oil)

£0.25

2tablespoonsFresh rosemary(Chopped)

£0.60

2tablespoonsFresh thyme(Chopped)

£0.60

3clovesGarlic(Minced)

£0.15

1teaspoonSalt(Or to taste)

£0.01

0.5teaspoonBlack pepper(Or to taste)

£0.05

0.3cupGrated Parmesan cheese(Optional, for garnish)

£0.75

2tablespoonsFresh parsley(Chopped, for garnish)

£0.40

Total Cost

£8.16

£2.04 per serving

The Method

1
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2
In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper.
3
Add chicken thighs to the bowl and toss to coat thoroughly with the herb mixture. Make sure the marinade gets under the skin of the chicken for maximum flavor.
4
Spread orzo evenly in a large oven-safe skillet or baking dish.
5
Pour chicken broth over the orzo.
6
Arrange the chicken thighs on top of the orzo, skin-side up.
7
Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F or 74°C) and the orzo is tender. If the chicken skin starts to brown too quickly, loosely tent the dish with foil.
8
Let the dish rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. The orzo will continue to absorb the liquid as it rests.
9
Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese (if using) and fresh parsley before serving.

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My Notes

Nutrition Information

Nutrition per serving (400g)

650 kcal / 2720 kJ

Carbs

35g

13% of RDA

Fat

35g

50% of RDA

Protein

45g

90% of RDA

Detailed Breakdown

Fibre

2 g

7% of RDA

Sugar

3 g

3% of RDA

Sodium

750 mg

33% of RDA

Saturated Fat

10 g

50% of RDA

Chef's Tips

For extra flavor, you can add sliced onions, bell peppers, or cherry tomatoes to the skillet along with the orzo.

If you prefer a richer sauce, you can add a splash of cream or milk during the last 5 minutes of cooking.

Adjust the amount of lemon juice and herbs to your personal preference.

If the orzo absorbs all the broth before the chicken is cooked through, add a little more broth, about 1/4 cup at a time.

Make sure your skillet is oven-safe. Cast iron works great.

Cooking Equipment

Oven

Large Oven-Safe Skillet or Baking Dish

Wine Pairings

No wine pairing suggestions available for this recipe.

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Chef's Tips

For extra flavor, you can add sliced onions, bell peppers, or cherry tomatoes to the skillet along with the orzo.

If you prefer a richer sauce, you can add a splash of cream or milk during the last 5 minutes of cooking.

Adjust the amount of lemon juice and herbs to your personal preference.

If the orzo absorbs all the broth before the chicken is cooked through, add a little more broth, about 1/4 cup at a time.

Make sure your skillet is oven-safe. Cast iron works great.

Lemon & Herb Roasted Chicken and Orzo

Ingredients

The Method