Garlic and Lemon Orzo
This creamy, lemony parmesan orzo comes together in one pan and is ready in about 20 minutes. Toasted orzo is simmered in broth until tender, then finished with fresh lemon juice, Parmesan, and butter. It is a great side dish to serve alongside chicken, fish, or just about any meat entree. We first used this recipe in my lamb shanks with orzo.
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ onion finely diced (or 1 shallot)
- 2 to 3 garlic cloves minced
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1¼ cups dry orzo pasta 8-ounces
- 2½ cups chicken broth
- zest from 1 lemon
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- ⅓ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 to 3 tablespoon butter
- fresh chopped parsley
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet with high sides over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 2-3 minutes, until softened. Stir in the fresh garlic, garlic powder, salt and pepper and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the orzo to the skillet and stir for about 1-2 minutes, letting it lightly toast.
- Pour in the chicken broth, stir, and bring to a gentle simmer. Let the orzo cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and most of the liquid is absorbed (about 10 minutes). If needed, add a splash of water or broth to loosen it up.
- Stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, Parmesan, and butter. Season with additional salt and black pepper and sprinkle with chopped parsley.
Notes
- For a more pronounced lemon flavor, add extra zest or a splash of lemon juice at the end. If you prefer it milder, start with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and adjust to taste.
- Stir in an extra tablespoon of butter or a splash of heavy cream for a rich, creamy orzo.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat with a splash of broth or water to loosen it up.
- Try adding spinach, peas, or roasted cherry tomatoes. You can also top it with a protein like grilled chicken or shrimp for a complete meal.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 311kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 1031mg | Potassium: 194mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 252IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 99mg | Iron: 1mg
