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Home » Recipes

Published: Nov 12, 2018. Post Updated: Feb 7, 2025

Home » Recipes

One Pot Lemon Chicken and Thyme Orzo

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This One Pot Lemon Chicken and Thyme Orzo is made using very few ingredients, it is super quick and easy to make (30 minutes) and it is a dish that everyone will enjoy. It is also so so delicious.

One Pot Lemon Chicken and Thyme Orzo with lemons on top and spoon

One Pot Lemon Chicken and Thyme Orzo

I have shared this recipe before.. about 2 years ago and then because I hated the picture, I deleted it. Then the other day, I mentioned it to my sister and searched for it, then realised I had deleted it off the site. DUH!

I’m bursting at the seams with recipe ideas and I cannot wait to share some of them and put them in some sort of order for you real soon.

What I love about this dish is that other than the sheer convenience of being a one pot meal, it’s also great because you can add veggies to the pot to bulk it out and make it last longer.

chicken and orzo ingredients

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

  • Oil
  • Orzo: Cooks quickly and works really well in creamy recipes.
  • Chicken Thighs and Drumsticks: Skin on or off.
  • Butter
  • Salt and Pepper
  • Lemon: Juice and Zest are used to add a real zingy hit.
  • Chicken Stock
  • Garlic
  • Chilli Flakes
  • Thyme

how to make chicken orzo

Full recipe is at the bottom of the page:

Preheat the oven to 200 degrees C/Gas Mark 6.
Heat the oil in a large oven proof pot (I use a cast iron pan). 
Season the chicken and add to the oil. Sear for 3 - 5 minutes per side. Remove from the pot and set aside.  
Add the butter to the pan, once melted add lemon slices to the same pot and sear for 1 minute each side. Remove and set aside. 
Stir in the garlic and cook for a minute before adding the orzo. Pour in the chicken stock and lemon juice and zest after 2 minutes.  
Bring to a boil over high heat and slowly add the chicken, lemon slices, chilli flakes and thyme to the pot. 
Pop the pot into the oven for 20 - 25 minutes. Check if the orzo and chicken are cooked and remove from the oven.

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?

Yes it can be frozen in an airtight container for up to a month.

TIPS AND FAQ's

  • I like to use chicken thighs and drumsticks in one pot recipes because they retain more moisture than chicken breasts. I do sometimes use breast but change cooking times accordingly.
  • I always sear the chicken thighs first. Searing them until there’s a little brown on the outside of the chicken helps to seal in moisture and add flavour.
  • I pre make a big batch of stock and use that as and when I need it straight from the freezer. You can also use stock cubes. 
  • I sometimes use whole wheat orzo but regular orzo is fine too.

More Pasta recipes you may enjoy:

Gigi Hadid Pasta

Masala Pasta

Chicken Orzo

**if you make something from  tiffin and tea, i would love to see your creations! don’t forget to rate this recipe and leave a comment below! we love to hear from you. safira x

One Pot Lemon Chicken and Thyme Orzo with lemons on top and spoon

One Pot Lemon Chicken and Thyme Orzo

This One Pot Lemon Chicken and Thyme Orzo is made using very few ingredients, it is super quick to make and it is a dish that everyone will enjoy.  
5 from 7 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 35 minutes mins
Course Dinner
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6
Calories 663 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon Oil
  • 8 Chicken Thighs and Drumstick mixed skinless
  • Salt and Pepper
  • 2 tablespoon Butter
  • 1 Lemon Sliced
  • 4 - 6 cloves Garlic crushed
  • 200 grams Orzo
  • 750 ml Chicken Stock
  • 1 Lemon Zest and Juice of
  • Pinch Chilli Flakes
  • 2 Sprigs Thyme Leaves removed

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 200 degrees C/Gas Mark 6.
  • Heat the oil in a large oven proof pot (I use a cast iron pan). 
  • Season the chicken and add to the oil. Sear for 3 - 5 minutes per side. Remove from the pot and set aside.  
  • Add the butter to the pan, once melted add lemon slices to the same pot and sear for 1 minute each side. Remove and set aside. 
  • Stir in the garlic and cook for a minute before adding the orzo. Pour in the chicken stock and lemon juice and zest after 2 minutes.  
  • Bring to a boil over high heat and slowly add the chicken, lemon slices, chilli flakes and thyme to the pot. 
  • Pop the pot into the oven for 20 - 25 minutes. Check if the orzo and chicken are cooked and remove from the oven.

Notes

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?

Yes it can be frozen in an airtight container for up to a month.

TIPS AND FAQ's

  • I like to use chicken thighs and drumsticks in one pot recipes because they retain more moisture than chicken breasts. I do sometimes use breast but change cooking times accordingly.
  • I always sear the chicken thighs first. Searing them until there’s a little brown on the outside of the chicken helps to seal in moisture and add flavour.
  • I pre make a big batch of stock and use that as and when I need it straight from the freezer. You can also use stock cubes. 
  • I sometimes use whole wheat orzo but regular orzo is fine too.

Nutrition

Calories: 663kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 40gFat: 40gSaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 203mgSodium: 364mgPotassium: 673mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 295IUVitamin C: 21mgCalcium: 47mgIron: 2mg
Keyword Chicken and Orzo, One pot Chicken Orzo
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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5 from 7 votes (7 ratings without comment)

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Picture of site owner Safira

hey...I’m safira! I share accessible Global Recipes as well as Baking recipes for home cooks. One of my passions is to teach home cooks to become more confident in the kitchen and this comes with time and experience.

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