Chicken Orzo

This Chicken Orzo is a quick and easy recipe – 15 minutes is all you need! It is deliciously creamy and flavoured with bursts of Lemon and salty Parmesan.

Chicken Orzo

This Chicken Orzo recipe always goes down a storm. It is a recipe idea that is adapted from Nigella for a Lemon Linguine where she combines egg yolks, parmesan, cream and lemon to create a sauce and this is then tossed with Linguine to create the quickest and most delicious meal ever. 

In this recipe, I use the same sauce with Orzo and add shredded roast Chicken to it as well as a sprinkling of Chives. 

Chicken and Orzo Ingredients

This recipe requires few ingredients or time but the pay off in flavour is huge. 

• Leftover Roast Chicken: Shred or cut into small pieces.
• Orzo: Cooks quickly and works really well in creamy recipes.
• Egg Yolks: both thicken and emulsify the sauce, making it easier for it to adhere to the Orzo.
• Butter: Adds richness.
• Double Cream: Makes for a silky, comforting sauce.
• Lemon: Juice and Zest are used to add a real zingy hit.
• Parmesan cheese: For the best flavour, buy a block and grate it yourself.
• Chives: I love the mild onion flavour they add.

How to make Chicken Orzo

This couldn’t be simpler!

Beat Egg Yolks in a small bowl and add Parmesan, Double Cream, Lemon zest and juice. Whisk to combine.

Cook the Orzo according to the pack instructions, then drain.  Add back to pot. Stir in butter.

Once fully coated, add the sauce. Season.

Stir in the Chicken. 

Add some grated Parmesan and Chives and serve.

Tips for making Chicken Orzo

• Only use freshly grated Parmesan. Pre grated Parmesan has a coating which is used to stop the cheese clumping together in the pack. It also however doesn’t melt the same.

Recipe Variations

• Add your favourite Veggies such as Corn, Mushrooms, Asparagus, Peppers.
• Add greens such as Spinach, Kale or Chard.
• Use your favourite Meats or Prawns instead.
• Add Seasoning of your choice.

Can it be made in advance? 

It is best to eat this as soon as it is made but you can make it 3 days ahead and reheat gently on the hob or in the microwave.

Storage

This Chicken Orzo keeps well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. 

How to reheat 

To reheat in the Microwave, reheat in bursts of 30 seconds, stirring in between. You may find that it is easier to heat with a splash of water or milk.

To reheat on the hob, add a splash of water or milk and reheat gently over a low heat for a few minutes.

Can it be frozen?

I would not recommend freezing this Orzo Chicken dish. 

More Pasta Recipes:

Mac and Cheese with Chicken

Creamy dreamy Mac and Cheese

Cheese and Broccoli Pasta

Simple Mushroom Pasta

Marks and Spencer Copycat Spinach, Pesto and Pine Nut Pasta

Kawsay or Khow suey – Chicken and spaghetti in coconut milk

** If you make this recipe, please comment/rate/dm. We love to hear from you. Safira x

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Chicken Orzo

This Chicken Orzo is a quick and easy recipe - 15 minutes is all you need! It is deliciously creamy and flavoured with bursts of Lemon and salty Parmesan.

Course Dinner, Lunch, Sides

Cuisine Italian

Keyword Chicken and Orzo, Lemon and Parmesan Orzo, Orzo, Orzo Pasta

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Servings 6

Calories 750 kcal

Author Safira

Ingredients

• 2 Egg Yolks
• 50 g Parmesan Grated
• 150 ml Double Cream
• 1 Lemon Juice and Zest
• 700 g Orzo
• 2 tbsp Butter
• Salt and Pepper
• 1/2 Roast Chicken Shredded
• 2 tbsp Parmesan
• 1 tbsp Chives Chopped Finely

Instructions

1. Beat Egg Yolks in a small bowl and add Parmesan, Double Cream, Lemon zest and juice. Whisk to combine.

2. Cook the Orzo according to the pack instructions, then drain.  Add back to pot. Stir in butter.

3. Once fully coated, add the sauce. Season.

4. Stir in the Chicken.

5. Add some grated Parmesan and Chives and serve.

Recipe Notes

Tips for making Chicken Orzo

• Only use freshly grated Parmesan. Pre grated Parmesan has a coating which is used to stop the cheese clumping together in the pack. It also however doesn't melt the same.

Recipe Variations

• Add your favourite Veggies such as Corn, Mushrooms, Asparagus, Peppers.
• Add greens such as Spinach, Kale or Chard.
• Use your favourite Meats or Prawns instead.
• Add Seasoning of your choice.

Can it be made in advance? 

It is best to eat this as soon as it is made but you can make it 3 days ahead and reheat gently on the hob or in the microwave.

Storage

This Chicken Orzo keeps well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. 

How to reheat 

To reheat in the Microwave, reheat in bursts of 30 seconds, stirring in between. You may find that it is easier to heat with a splash of water or milk.

To reheat on the hob, add a splash of water or milk and reheat gently over a low heat for a few minutes.

Can it be frozen?

I would not recommend freezing this Orzo Chicken dish. 

Nutrition Facts

Chicken Orzo

Amount Per Serving

Calories 750 Calories from Fat 216

% Daily Value*

Fat 24g37%

Saturated Fat 12g75%

Cholesterol 176mg59%

Sodium 273mg12%

Potassium 501mg14%

Carbohydrates 90g30%

Fiber 4g17%

Sugar 4g4%

Protein 41g82%

Vitamin A 703IU14%

Vitamin C 10mg12%

Calcium 181mg18%

Iron 3mg17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

** This recipe is adapted from a Nigella recipe for a Lemon Linguine where she combines egg yolks, parmesan, cream and lemon to create a sauce and this is then tossed with Linguine to create the quickest and most delicious meal ever.