Description
Savory lemon garlic chicken thighs nestled in creamy orzo create a Mediterranean-inspired comfort meal that sings with zesty flavors. Delightful ingredients meld together, promising a delicious dinner you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 4 chicken thighs (bone-in or boneless)
Seasonings and Spices:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Cooking and Complementary Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
- 1 tablespoon (14 grams) butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup (170 grams) orzo pasta
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) chicken broth
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Zest of 1 lemon
- ½ cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup (15 grams) fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the protein by generously coating chicken thighs with a robust blend of seasonings, ensuring comprehensive coverage for maximum flavor infusion.
- Position a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high thermal intensity, introducing olive oil to create a sizzling surface for caramelizing chicken.
- Execute precise searing technique, placing chicken skin-side down and allowing golden-brown crust development for approximately 5 minutes, then reverse and continue cooking for an additional 3 minutes.
- Extract chicken from skillet, temporarily reserving while maintaining desired temperature.
- Introduce butter to the identical cooking vessel, rapidly sautéing minced garlic until aromatic essence permeates the kitchen.
- Incorporate orzo, gently toasting the pasta to enhance nutty undertones and develop complex flavor profiles.
- Stream chicken broth, freshly squeezed lemon juice, vibrant citrus zest, aromatic Italian herbs, and subtle red pepper flakes into the skillet, creating a harmonious liquid base.
- Carefully reintroduce seared chicken thighs into the bubbling orzo mixture, nestling them strategically for even heat distribution.
- Reduce thermal intensity, create a protective lid seal, and allow gentle simmering for 15-20 minutes until pasta reaches tender consistency and chicken achieves perfect doneness.
- Conclude preparation by folding luxurious Parmesan cheese throughout the dish, then embellish with freshly chopped parsley.
- Present immediately, accompanying with additional lemon wedges to elevate the sensory experience.
Notes
- Optimize chicken skin crispiness by patting thighs completely dry before seasoning to ensure maximum golden-brown searing.
- Create dairy-free variation by replacing butter with olive oil and omitting Parmesan, maintaining rich flavor profile through herbs and lemon.
- Choose boneless, skinless chicken thighs for quicker cooking if time is limited, adjusting cooking duration to prevent drying out the meat.
- Enhance meal prep by preparing extra portions – this dish refrigerates beautifully and reheats well within 2-3 days, making excellent next-day lunch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 245
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 380 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg