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South Korea Part Two: Going for Gold.
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When you need something bright, cozy, and low-effort, this one-skillet chicken and orzo hits the spot. Think crispy seared chicken, caramelized lemon, and garlicky, butter-kissed orzo that soaks up all the flavor.
It’s weeknight-easy, pantry-friendly, and pretty enough to bring right to the table. Grab a lemon (Meyer if you’ve got it), a handful of greens, and let the oven finish the work.
You guys, I am not going to lie, at this point I really don’t even know what day it is. This entire time I’ve been in South Korea, I think I have asked what day it is and what the time is over and over again. South Korea is one day and sixteen hours ahead of MST, so the jet leg struggle was, and is, real. Because of work, I needed to be going back and forth between US time and Korean time and for me, it just got way too confusing.
By the time you all read this I should hopefully be home, as I am heading out in a couple of hours with a few family members along with me. I am currently writing this post while sitting in a hotel room in Seoul, trying to catch up on work…and scrolling through all the AMAZING comments, social media tags, and press from the last three days. It’s truly amazing. Thanks for the support you all are showing my brother. He’s living up this gold medal win (well sort of, the jet lag on this quick trip cannot be fun) and traveling around with my brother Malachi, doing a quick US press tour. However, they’ll both be back on a plane to South Korea in a couple of days, as Red needs to start practice for Men’s Snowboard Big Air.
Crazy, crazy ride those two are on…
I mean, did you catch Red on Jimmy Kimmel Live Tuesday night? Here’s the link if you’d like to watch.
And that’s your quick Red and Kai update for the day. Let’s talk food, because you know, that is what I do best.
While the food here in South Korea has been awesome…there’s been a lot of Korean Beef, ramen, and we had some amazing dumplings yesterday in Seoul…I must say, I’m looking forward to heading home and cooking up some of my favorite comfort meals, like this easy one skillet chicken dinner.
I made this before we left for Korea and it was the perfect easy, healthy, cozy dinner to eat the day before a long flight. Plus, it’s full of carbs, lemon, and veggies, so very much my kind of food.
The chicken is pan seared along with some fresh lemon slices and a little butter. The chicken becomes crispy, and the lemon slices caramelize, making them sweet enough to eat. I am aware that eating the whole lemon, peel and all, is still a little odd to many of you, but try it out this way. I promise, it’s so good.
The chicken and lemon alone could be an awesome recipe, classic and delicious, but me being me, I needed to add a little more to the recipe, so in came the orzo.
I mean, obviously, you have to have the carbs, you just do.
You could certainly use quinoa or another grain, but if I were you, I’d go with the orzo. It’s just fitting with this recipe and so delicious in the lemon butter sauce.
This recipe is not only delicious, it’s also super easy…one skillet, under an hour, and uses mostly pantry staple ingredients.
Cool. Cool.
It’s a crowd pleaser, and actually comes out of the oven looking relatively pretty. I threw on some fresh dill for color and served the chicken and orzo up right out of the skillet. Perfect for easy weeknight dinners or even entertaining.
Also, I get a lot of questions about what my favorite cast iron skillet is…I always, always use Staub. The ten and twelve inch are my favorites, I used the twelve inch for this recipe.
If I wasn’t getting home so late tonight, I’d for sure be making this for dinner. Instead, this will definitely be on my table as Friday night’s meal.
Can’t wait to start getting caught up on everything at home. Sorry for being MIA with comments this past week, I will be catching up soon. Thanks for all the messages!
Watch the How To Video Here:
One Skillet Lemon Butter Chicken and Orzo
Servings: 6 servings
Calories Per Serving: 337 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 pound chicken breasts or small thighs
- kosher salt and pepper
- 1 Meyer or regular lemon, sliced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 clove garlic, minced or grated
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1/3 cup white wine
- 2 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 a bunch kale, roughly torn
- juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.2. Heat the olive oil in a large dutch oven or cast iron skillet set over medium high heat. Season the chicken all over with salt and pepper. When the oil is shimmering, add the chicken and sear on both sides until golden, about 3-5 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the skillet. 3. To the same skillet, add the butter and lemon slices. Sear the lemon until golden on each side, about 1 minute. Remove the lemon from the pan and add to the plate with the chicken. 4. To the same skillet, add the garlic and orzo. Cook until the garlic is fragrant and the orzo toasted, about 2-3 minutes. Add the wine to the skillet and de-glaze the pan. Add the chicken broth, kale, and lemon juice. Bring to a boil over high heat and stir. Slide the chicken, lemon slices, and any juices left on the pan back into the skillet. Transfer to the oven and roast, uncovered for 15 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.4. Serve the chicken topped with fresh dill and lemon zest. EAT!
Chicken dinner for the win…or the GOLD?! I dunno, but clearly I am still way too excited that my brother is an Olympic Gold Medalist. No big deal or anything…
This post was originally published on February 15, 2018
I just made this. SO GOOD and So EASY. I didn’t have a bottle of white open so I used apple cider vinegar, and it turned out well.
Thank you so much Jane! I am really glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
Hi Tieghan! This recipe is so phenomenal I’ve made it so many different times with chicken thighs and chicken breast and I’m such a big fan ?
I did have one question, I’m planning on making this for a larger group and I was wondering what kinds of sides you’d recommend? Thank you!
Hey Henessy,
I am so glad you have been enjoying this recipe. For a side I would recommend serving a large salad and some rolls! Here are some ideas:
https://fett-weg.today/melon-basil-burrata-salad/%3C/a%3E%3Cbr /> https://fett-weg.today/salted-honey-butter-parker-house-rolls/%3C/a%3E%3Cbr /> I hope this helps! xTieghan
Could I make this with brown rice instead of orzo?
Could I substitute orzo with brown rice instead?
Hey Leah,
I haven’t tested this, but it should workout for you. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
I made this for my sister and we devoured it! A perfect, easy dish!
Thank you Manal! xTieghan
Are the liquid proportions right? Mine ended up super soupy. I used asparagus instead of kale but I don’t think they give off that much liquid.
Hey Lindsay,
Yes the liquid measurements are correct, I am so sorry you had issues with the recipe. Next time I would recommend boiling for a bit longer until more of the liquid is cooked out. I hope this helps! xTieghan
This is a staple in my house, love that it is a true one pan dish and makes great leftovers. Teighan, I was hoping to make this for a friend who recently had a baby. Do you think I could just transfer to a disposable lasagna pan before baking for dropping off?
Hey Jennifer,
I am so glad your family enjoys this recipe! I think that sounds like a great idea! xTieghan
The recipe looks super nice and easy. I have a question. If using quinoa, does the cook time change? Also, at any point should I use a lid on the pan?
Thanks
Hi Pat,
I would keep everything the same, just add some more liquid at the end if the quinoa needs to be cooked longer. No need to use a lid. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Do you think this would work with mushrooms in addition to kale?
Hi Jen,
Yes mushrooms would be a great addition! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Delicious! Super easy to make. Love that it was made in on pan!
Thank you so much Christi! xTieghan
Hi! Is it possible to make this recipe without a cast iron skillet? Thanks!
Hi Sadie,
That is okay to do, just be sure to transfer to an oven safe pan. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
So easy to make and unbelievably delicious. We’ve made this multiple times and are blown away ever time. Would recommend!
Love that! Thank you Lauren! xTieghan
This looks yummy!
Can I make this with chicken thighs ? Bone in skin on?
Hi Angela,
Yes that would work, I just prefer boneless skinless breasts for this recipe. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions. xTieghan
For some reason I made this and it was bitter. I used Meyer lemons. Where did I go wrong? I love the recipe and would like to try it again.
Hi Heidi,
So sorry this dish was bitter for you. Unless you adjusted the recipe at all it is hard to say. Next time try using less lemon. I hope this helps! xTieghan
The entire family loved this and it was very easy to make. Subbed spinach for kale otherwise followed the recipe exactly. Making it into the rotation!
Thank you so much Alyssa! I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you! xTieghan