Creamy Lemon Orzo with Chicken

• servings: 6 servings
• active time: 10 minutes
• total time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

1½ pounds chicken breast

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon pepper

1 teaspoon garlic powder

2 tablespoons olive oil

16 ounces orzo

1 tablespoon butter

3 cups chicken broth

1½ cup heavy cream

¼ cup fresh lemon juice

¼ cup parmesan cheese

8 ounces fresh spinach

lemon zest

Directions

Cut the chicken into 1 inch cubes. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the olive oil and once hot, spread the chicken in a single layer in the bottom of the pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes, then stir and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes. Remove and set aside.Note: If the chicken isn't all the way cooked, it is okay because it will continue to cook at the end.

Add the butter and orzo to the skillet. Stir the orzo until it starts to get lightly browned and toasty. Then add the chicken broth, heavy cream, and lemon juice.Stir the orzo scraping the bottom to release any bits that may be stuck. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover the skillet and simmer for 10-12 minutes or until orzo is tender.

Remove cover and stir in parmesan cheese, chicken bites, and fresh spinach. Continue to cook, stirring regularly until the spinach is wilted and the chicken is cooked through.

Garnish with lemon zest and serve immediately.

Nutrition

• Calories: 410 kcal
• Total Fat: 31 g
• Saturated Fat: 16 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0.01 g
• Cholesterol: 145 mg
• Sodium: 1068 mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 5 g
• Dietary Fiber: 1 g
• Total Sugars: 3 g
• Protein: 29 g