Lemon Orzo Chicken Pasta

Courtesy of Noashealthyeats

This was a dish we were able to make with very little ingredients left in the house besides our typical staple items (chicken broth, lemons, garlic, fresh herbs) and that's really all you need to bring this dish together. We made some minor modifications based off of what we had as I was days overdue for a grocery run. We didn't have zucchini but subbed in peas and mushrooms, parmesan over feta, and heavy cream instead of light cooking cream noted in the recipe. If you do not have orzo, half the amount of chicken broth as the orzo is supposed to cook in the liquid to soak up that broth and create the desired consistency.

Ingredients:

Ingredients

1/2 tbs olive oil

500g Chicken

1/2 tsp paprika

1tbs butter

1 small onion, diced

2 garlic cloves, minced (or 1 tsp powder)

1 cup orzo pasta/ risoni (uncooked)

1 medium zucchini, grated

2 cups low sodium chicken stock

zest and juice of 1 small lemon

1/2 tsp each dried thyme salt, pepper

1/2 cup of light cream (I used Philadelphia 60% less fat light cooking cream)

Add ins:

30-40g Mozzarella

30g crumbly feta

Fresh Parsley

Directions:

Step 1: Season the chicken with 1/2 tsp salt, paprika and pepper.

Step 2: Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium high heat. Add chicken and cook until the chicken is mostly cooked 3-4 minutes. Remove the chicken and set aside.

Step 3: Melt the butter in the same pan over medium-high heat. Add onions and sauté for 3-4 minutes. Add orzo and toast for 2 minutes in the pan. Add the grated zucchini, garlic and cook for an additional 2 minutes or until the onions are tender.

Step 4: Add in the chicken stock, lemon zest and juice. Season with the salt, pepper and thyme. Stir the chicken back into the pot and cover with a lid, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 8-10 minutes or until orzo is tender. Stir throughout the cook time to ensure the pasta does not stick to the bottom of the pot.

Step 5: Once the orzo is cooked through, add the cream and stir until

Combined.

Step 6: Remove from heat and stir through the feta, mozzarella until all melted through. Season with salt, pepper and fresh parsley and enjoy!