Embark on a culinary journey with our tantalizing dish, where succulent chicken mingles harmoniously with the vibrant flavors of lemon and dill. This delectable creation, nestled atop a bed of tender orzo, promises a symphony of tastes that will delight your palate.
Enticing aromas waft from the kitchen as the chicken, kissed by the heat of the pan, releases its savory juices. The secret lies in the perfect balance of spices, with paprika and oregano adding a touch of warmth, while lemon zest and fresh dill infuse each bite with a burst of citrusy freshness.
The orzo, cooked to al dente perfection, serves as a delightful canvas for the vibrant sauce, absorbing every drop of flavor. Its mild taste allows the other ingredients to shine, creating a cohesive dish where each element enhances the other.
This recipe offers a symphony of flavors and textures, sure to tantalize even the most discerning palate. From the juicy chicken to the tangy sauce and the fluffy orzo, every bite is a celebration of culinary artistry.
In addition to the main recipe, we've included three irresistible variations to cater to diverse tastes and dietary preferences. For those who prefer a vegetarian option, we've crafted a succulent mushroom and spinach version that delivers a hearty and flavorful experience.
Seafood lovers will delight in the shrimp and asparagus variation, where plump shrimp and tender asparagus join forces to create a delightful medley of flavors. And for those seeking a creamy twist, the creamy lemon chicken and orzo variation offers a rich and indulgent take on this classic dish.
With its versatility and crowd-pleasing appeal, this chicken, lemon, and dill with orzo is destined to become a staple in your recipe repertoire. Prepare to indulge your senses and embark on a culinary adventure that will leave your taste buds craving more.
LEMON & DILL CHICKEN
Fresh lemon and dill create a quick Greek-inspired pan sauce for simple sautéed chicken breasts. Make it a meal: Serve with roasted broccoli and whole-wheat orzo.
Provided by EatingWell Test Kitchen
Categories Quick & Easy Low-Calorie Chicken Recipes
Time 30m
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Season chicken breasts on both sides with salt and pepper. Heat 1 1/2 teaspoons oil in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sear until well browned on both sides, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to a plate and tent with foil.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons oil to the pan. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Whisk broth, flour, 1 tablespoon dill and lemon juice in a measuring cup and add to pan. Cook, whisking, until slightly thickened, about 3 minutes.
- Return the chicken and any accumulated juices to the pan; reduce heat to low and simmer until the chicken is cooked through, about 4 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a warmed platter. Season sauce with salt and pepper and spoon over the chicken. Garnish with the remaining 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 170.3 calories, Carbohydrate 3.3 g, Cholesterol 62.7 mg, Fat 6.2 g, Fiber 0.3 g, Protein 24.1 g, SaturatedFat 1.3 g, Sodium 339.5 mg, Sugar 0.7 g
GREEK LEMON CHICKEN AND ORZO CASSEROLE
Provided by Jeff Mauro, host of Sandwich King
Categories main-dish
Time 55m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- For the orzo: Whisk together the stock, butter, salt, cornstarch, dill, lemon zest and juice and garlic in a bowl. Mix in the orzo.
- For the chicken: In a separate bowl, mix together the coriander, salt and pepper. Coat the chicken all over with the seasoning.
- Pour the stock/orzo mixture into a glass 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Add the chicken breasts, laying them at an angle so all but the tops of the breasts are submerged. Shingle the lemon slices in between the chicken breasts.
- Bake, uncovered, until the chicken registers an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, 35 to 40 minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes. Top with the chopped parsley before serving.
CHICKEN, LEMON AND DILL WITH ORZO
From an article in *Everyday Food* on baked pasta dishes. Whips up in a jiffy; a lovely combination of flavors, redolent of Greece.
Provided by lecole54
Categories Chicken
Time 1h
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- In a saucepan, bring broth, 3/4 cup water, butter, salt, and pepper to a boil.
- In a greased 3-quart baking dish (for example, 9" x 13"), combine chicken, orzo, feta, dill, lemon zest, and juice.
- Pour broth mixture over orzo and stir once to incorporate.
- Bake until orzo is tender and cooking liquid is creamy, 40 minutes. Sprinkle Parmesan on top and let stand 5 minutes before serving.
CRISPY CHICKEN WITH LEMON ORZO
Steps:
- Combine the flour, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper in a shallow bowl. Remove the tenders on the underside of the chicken breasts and save for another use. (This makes the chicken breasts an even thickness so they cook evenly.) Heat the canola oil and 4 tablespoons of the butter together in a large (12-inch) cast-iron skillet over medium heat until the butter has melted and begins to sizzle.
- Dredge the chicken in the flour mixture and shake off any excess. Place the chicken, skin side down, in the skillet and cook over medium heat without moving for 12 minutes. With the chicken still skin side down, place the skillet in the oven and roast for 10 minutes.
- Return the skillet to the stovetop over medium heat (careful; the handle will be hot!). Turn the chicken skin side up, add the remaining 5 tablespoons of butter, and continue cooking for 3 to 5 minutes, until the butter is a nutty brown color and the chicken breasts are just cooked through (an instant-read thermometer will register 130 to 140 degrees F). Off the heat, sprinkle on the parsley.
- Divide the Lemon Orzo with Feta among four dinner plates. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and slice each breast crosswise in thick slices. Arrange one breast on each plate with the orzo. Spoon a few tablespoons of the brown butter over each chicken breast, squeeze on some lemon, and sprinkle with salt. Serve hot with a fresh wedge of lemon on each plate.
- In a large saucepan, bring 2 quarts of water to a boil. Add 2 teaspoons salt and the orzo. Return the water to a boil and simmer uncovered for 9 to 11 minutes, until the orzo is al dente. Drain.
- Transfer the orzo to a bowl and stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, dill, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Fold in the feta and serve hot.
SKILLET CHICKEN WITH ORZO, DILL AND FETA
Chicken and orzo is timeless combination, simple and satisfying. In this recipe, you could use chicken thighs, but drumsticks make this dish super family-friendly. Of course, if you have a crowd that doesn't love the classic feta-dill pairing, feel free to change the toppings. Mint or parsley work just as well for the herbs, and any salty, crumbly cheese is lovely here. You can dress this up as you like with cucumbers or cherry tomatoes, or green olives, served alongside or pitted, chopped and tossed in instead. Besides the obvious perk of its being a one-pot dinner, this recipe yields great leftovers. For the next day's lunch, pull any remaining chicken off the bone, chop it, skin and all, and toss with the remaining orzo, vegetables and cheese. Know that the orzo - a very small pasta, not rice - soaks up all the liquid and flavor as it sits and cools, so you may need a drizzle of oil and lemon juice over the top to serve it the second day.
Provided by Sarah Copeland
Categories dinner, weekday, weeknight, poultry, main course
Time 35m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Cut one of the lemons into wedges and set aside. Juice the remaining lemon and combine with 3 tablespoons olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper, in a large resealable plastic bag or in a bowl, along with the chicken pieces. Seal and shake the bag (or stir in the bowl) to coat. Set aside for 30 minutes, or refrigerate up to overnight.
- Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting the excess drip off, and cook until lightly golden all over, turning when the chicken releases easily from the pan, about 12 minutes total. Transfer chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Add the onion to the pan and stir to coat with the remaining fat. Decrease heat to medium and cook until soft, about 4 minutes. Stir in the orzo and the broth or water. Cook until the liquid is partly absorbed, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Top with the chicken legs and cover with a lid or foil. Continue cooking until the orzo is tender, most of the liquid is absorbed, and the chicken is cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes more, depending on the size of your drumsticks or thighs. Remove from the heat and scatter the cucumber, feta and dill over the top. Serve from the skillet with lemon wedges and olives.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 903, UnsaturatedFat 30 grams, Carbohydrate 60 grams, Fat 48 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 56 grams, SaturatedFat 15 grams, Sodium 1379 milligrams, Sugar 11 grams, TransFat 0 grams
LEMON-DILL CHICKEN PATTIES WITH ORZO
This is a simple and elegant dish that starts with ground chicken. Lemon and dill make it light and fresh! This came out of a Woman's Day magazine.
Provided by Sharon123
Categories Healthy
Time 35m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Cook orzo in lightly salted water as package directs.
- Drain; return to pot.
- Add remaining orzo ingredients; toss to mix.
- Cover to keep warm.
- While orzo cooks, mix Patties ingredients except chicken.
- Add chicken; mix well.
- Form into sixteen 1/2-inch thick patties.
- Heat oil in large nonstick skillet.
- Add patties; cook over medium heat, turning once, about 5 minutes, until opaque in center.
- Serve with orzo.
- Serves 4.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 525.5, Fat 17.4, SaturatedFat 5.8, Cholesterol 108.4, Sodium 729.3, Carbohydrate 60.5, Fiber 3.3, Sugar 3.4, Protein 30.9
Tips:
- Mise en Place: Before you start cooking, make sure you have all your ingredients and equipment ready to go. This will help you stay organized and avoid scrambling.
- Choose the Right Orzo: There are two main types of orzo: regular orzo and giant orzo. Regular orzo is the more traditional type and is about the size of a grain of rice. Giant orzo is larger and has a more chewy texture. For this recipe, I recommend using regular orzo.
- Cook the Orzo Al Dente: Orzo should be cooked al dente, which means it should be cooked through but still have a slight bite to it. To achieve this, cook the orzo for 1-2 minutes less than the package directions.
- Use Fresh Herbs: Fresh herbs add a ton of flavor to this dish. If you can, use fresh dill, parsley, and lemon zest. If you don't have fresh herbs, you can use dried herbs, but they won't be as flavorful.
- Don't Overcook the Chicken: Chicken breasts can easily become dry and overcooked. To avoid this, cook them over medium heat and don't cook them for more than 10-12 minutes per side.
Conclusion:
Chicken, lemon, and dill with orzo is a simple but delicious dish that's perfect for a weeknight meal. It's easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. If you like your food spicy, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes. If you like your food tangy, you can add a squeeze of extra lemon juice. And if you like your food cheesy, you can sprinkle some Parmesan cheese on top. No matter how you make it, this dish is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
You'll also love