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Chicken and broccoli orzo skillet

Chicken thighs, orzo, and broccoli cook in one skillet with broth, lemon, and Parmesan. About 30 minutes; serves four.

About 30 minutes · serves 4

By Forkast. This recipe has not been kitchen-tested; timing is an estimate.

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A skillet of lemony orzo with browned chicken and bright broccoli.
AI-generated recipe illustration

Let’s make dinner

  1. 1

    Brown the chicken

    Cut the chicken into bite-size pieces. Season with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon oil. Cook 6–8 minutes, stirring, until the thickest pieces reach 165°F. Transfer to a clean plate.

  2. 2

    Toast, then simmer the orzo

    Add the remaining oil and garlic. Stir in the orzo for 1 minute. Pour in the broth. Simmer uncovered 8 minutes, stirring often so the orzo does not stick.

  3. 3

    Add broccoli and finish

    Stir in the broccoli. Cook 4–5 minutes, until the orzo and broccoli are tender. Return the chicken. Add lemon zest, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, and Parmesan. Loosen with broth if needed.

Brown the chicken first, then use the same skillet to toast and simmer the orzo. Broccoli goes in near the end so it stays bright, and lemon plus Parmesan tie everything together. Cook chicken to 165°F and use a clean plate after cooking. Contains wheat and milk.

Questions before you cook

Is orzo rice or pasta?

Orzo is a small pasta. This recipe’s liquid and simmering time are written for orzo, not rice.

What if the orzo gets too thick?

Stir often while it simmers to prevent sticking. At the finish, add a little broth if needed to loosen the mixture.

Substitutions and ingredient choices

Use another grated hard cheese in place of Parmesan as an untested variation. Check milk and other allergen labels; this does not make the dish dairy-free.

How should I store and reheat leftovers?

Refrigerate perishable leftovers in shallow containers within 2 hours, or within 1 hour above 90°F. Keep the refrigerator at 40°F or below and use leftovers within 3–4 days. Reheat leftovers to 165°F, checking with a food thermometer. These are general USDA safety limits, not a tested shelf-life claim for this recipe.

Warm in a covered skillet with a little broth and stir so the chicken and orzo heat evenly.

USDA: Leftovers and Food Safety

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