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Creamy Lemon Orzo with Tender Chicken and Baby Kale

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A quick and easy creamy lemon orzo pasta with tender chicken and fresh baby kale, perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner with bright citrus notes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup orzo pasta (about 170g)
  • 2 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 cups fresh baby kale, washed
  • 1 large lemon, zest and juice separated
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups chicken broth (480 ml), low sodium recommended
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (120 ml)
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (about 25g)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes
  • Optional: fresh herbs such as parsley or basil for garnish

Instructions

  1. Rinse and pat dry the chicken breasts, then cut into 1-inch pieces. Wash the baby kale thoroughly and chop roughly if leaves are large. Mince the garlic, zest the lemon, and set aside the juice.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When shimmering, add chicken pieces in a single layer and sear without moving for 2-3 minutes to develop a golden crust.
  3. Stir chicken and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until cooked through and lightly browned. Remove chicken to a plate and set aside.
  4. Lower heat to medium, add remaining tablespoon of olive oil, and sauté minced garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  5. Add dry orzo to the pan and stir to coat with garlic oil. Pour in 2 cups chicken broth and bring to a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer.
  6. Cook orzo, stirring occasionally, for 9-11 minutes until al dente and most broth is absorbed. Add more broth or water if liquid evaporates too quickly.
  7. Lower heat to medium-low. Stir in heavy cream, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Cook for 2 minutes to thicken sauce slightly. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
  8. Fold in baby kale and cooked chicken. Cook for another 2 minutes until kale wilts but remains bright green and tender.
  9. Remove from heat, sprinkle grated Parmesan over the top, stir gently to combine, and serve immediately.

Notes

If sauce is too thick, add a splash of broth or a teaspoon of butter to smooth it out. Add kale at the end to keep it tender and vibrant. Taste and adjust seasoning at the end as lemon juice brightness can vary. For lighter cream options, use light cream or Greek yogurt added off heat to avoid curdling. Pre-cooked rotisserie chicken can be used for convenience.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy lemon orzo, chicken and kale recipe, quick dinner, easy pasta, weeknight meal, lemon chicken pasta, baby kale, comfort food

Find it online: https://vexifood.com/creamy-lemon-orzo-with-tender-chicken-and-baby-kale-easy-recipe/