One-Pot Creamy Lemon Chicken Orzo

Name: One-Pot Creamy Lemon Chicken Orzo
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 2-4 servings

A bright, comforting, and velvety meal where the pasta is cooked directly in Cook Mania Chicken Stock. This method releases the orzo's starch into the broth, creating a naturally creamy sauce without needing heavy cream.

Ingredients

Protein: 500g Chicken Thighs (boneless, skinless, diced)
Base: 2 cups Cook Mania Chicken Stock (plus more if needed)
Aromatics: 1 tbsp Cook Mania Minced Garlic, 1/2 cup Cook Mania Minced Onions
Pasta: 1.5 cups Orzo pasta (uncooked)
Finish: 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan, juice of 1 Lemon, 2 cups Fresh Spinach, 1 tbsp Butter.
Seasoning: Salt, pepper, and dried oregano to taste.

Instructions

Sear Chicken: Season chicken with salt, pepper, and oregano. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat and brown the chicken until cooked through. Remove and set aside.
Sauté Aromatics: In the same pan, add a touch of butter. Sauté the Minced Onions and Minced Garlic until fragrant and translucent.
Toast Orzo: Add the dry orzo to the pan and stir for 1-2 minutes until slightly toasted.
Simmer: Pour in the Cook Mania Chicken Stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure the orzo doesn't stick.
Combine: Once the stock is mostly absorbed and orzo is tender, stir in the spinach, parmesan, lemon juice, and the cooked chicken.
Serve: If the sauce is too thick, splash in a little more chicken stock. Garnish with fresh parsley and extra lemon zest.