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Best Creamy Lemon Chicken Orzo with Cauliflower Rice

This One Pot Lemon Chicken Orzo delivers restaurant-quality flavor with minimal effort and cleanup. Tender chicken thighs, creamy orzo, cauliflower rice, and bright lemon come together in a single pot for the ultimate weeknight dinner. Ready in just 45 minutes, this dish is comforting, zesty, and incredibly satisfying.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 500
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 8 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp oil
  • 3 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1 large lemon zest and juice
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 2 cups orzo pasta
  • 16 oz cauliflower rice
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped

Method
 

  1. Season chicken thighs with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  2. Heat oil in a large pot and brown chicken 4–5 minutes per side. Remove and drain excess fat.
  3. Add broth, cream, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and orzo. Stir well.
  4. Nestle browned chicken into the pot and bring to a boil.
  5. Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes, stirring halfway through.
  6. Turn off heat, stir in cauliflower rice, and cover for 5 minutes.
  7. Season to taste and garnish with parsley before serving.

Notes

Pat chicken dry for better browning. Stir orzo halfway through cooking to prevent sticking. Add extra lemon juice for a brighter flavor. Substitute Greek yogurt for a lighter creamy base.