Description
Whip up a bright Lemon Chicken Veggie Orzo Stir Fry in minutessimple flavorful and perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that surprises with color
Ingredients
Scale
1 lb (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, diced
1 large bell pepper, sliced
2 cups zucchini, sliced
1 cup carrots, julienned
1 cup broccoli florets
12 oz (340 g) dry orzo pasta
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
2–3 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp lemon zest
2 tbsp parsley, chopped
2 tbsp Parmesan cheese, grated
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Red pepper flakes, pinch
Instructions
- Prep and portion ingredients: wash vegetables, pat the chicken dry, cut the chicken into 1-inch pieces, mince the garlic, dice the onion, slice the bell pepper and zucchini, and have the orzo ready.
- Sear the chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then sear in a single layer until edges are golden and the pieces are opaque in the center (about 4–5 minutes). Remove to a plate.
- Sauté aromatics: In the same pan, add the remaining oil. Add the onion and garlic; sauté 1–2 minutes until fragrant and softened.
- Cook the vegetables: Add bell pepper, carrots, zucchini, and broccoli to the pan. Stir-fry 4–6 minutes, until vegetables are crisp-tender. If you prefer softer vegetables, cover for a minute.
- Prepare the orzo: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the orzo until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta water before draining.
- Combine and finish: Return the chicken to the pan with the vegetables. Pour in the chicken broth and lemon juice, then stir in the zest. Simmer 2–3 minutes to marry flavors, add the drained orzo and toss to coat. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed. Finish with parsley and Parmesan (or nutritional yeast) and adjust salt and pepper.
- Garnish and plate: Squeeze extra lemon over the dish, top with fresh parsley, and optionally finish with Parmesan shavings.
- Make it ahead or leftovers: For meal prep, portion into containers. Reheat in the microwave in 1–2 minutes or in a skillet with broth. Store in airtight containers up to 3 days.
Notes
Bright, protein-packed Lemon Chicken & Veggie Orzo Stir Fry ready in under 30 minutes, featuring chicken, vegetables, and orzo in a zingy lemon glaze.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Main course
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 servings
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: not specified
- Fat: 11 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 32 g
