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If you’re juggling a busy day, but you still want a meal that’s not only fast but packed with flavor, Creamy Garlic Chicken with Lemon Orzo Pasta is the ultimate weeknight hero. This dish brings comfort food to your table in under 30 minutes, and with its creamy garlic sauce and zesty lemon orzo, you won’t believe how quick and easy it is to whip up!
The Perfect Chicken: Tender, Moist, and Flavorful
Chicken breasts often get a bad rap for being dry and bland, but this recipe flips that on its head. Instead of the typical ho-hum chicken, we’re serving up tender, juicy cutlets drenched in a velvety garlic sauce. The secret? A simple trick: thinly slicing your chicken breasts. Not only does this make the chicken cook faster, but it also doubles your servings, making this dish as economical as it is delicious.
And that golden crust? It’s all thanks to a quick dredge in flour before browning. Plus, don’t you dare clean that pan! The browned bits left behind are pure flavor gold that take your sauce to the next level.
Protein Options
If chicken isn’t your thing, fear not—this recipe is versatile enough to adapt to whatever protein you have on hand. Swap the chicken for pork chops, shrimp, steak, or even salmon. The creamy garlic sauce is a blank canvas for different flavors, so you can easily mix things up whenever you're in the mood for something different.
Flavor Add-Ins: Make It Your Own
While this creamy garlic sauce is delicious on its own, it also welcomes a few fun add-ins. Stir in Asiago cheese for an extra layer of richness, toss in some sun-dried tomatoes or sautéed mushrooms for a punch of umami, or even swirl in a spoonful of basil pesto for a bright, herby twist. And let’s not forget about the power of greens—spinach or fresh herbs can elevate this dish in minutes!
The Zesty Sidekick: Lemon Orzo Pasta
The perfect companion to our creamy chicken, this pasta is light, zesty, and incredibly easy to make. As the orzo simmers in chicken broth, it soaks up every bit of flavor, while a touch of butter and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice give it a vibrant, citrusy kick. Together with the garlic chicken and crisp-tender green beans, it’s a complete meal that’s hearty, satisfying, and anything but boring.
Creamy Garlic Chicken Breasts with Lemon Orzo Pasta and Green Beans
Recipe from Curd Is The Word
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- 4 chicken breast halves, thinly sliced
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp turmeric (for health-boosting benefits!)
- 1/4 tsp paprika
(Substitute: a dash of cayenne spice)
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (for dredging)
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 Tbsp butter
For the Sauce:
- 2 shallots, minced (or 1 small yellow onion)
- 2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 1/3 cups chicken broth
- 1 1/3 cups heavy cream
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Optional:
- 12 oz green beans
For the Orzo:
- 1 lemon (zest and juice)
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 Tbsp butter
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Chicken:
Season chicken with salt, pepper, turmeric, and paprika. Dredge in flour, shaking off any excess.
2. Sear the Chicken:
Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
3. Make the Sauce:
In the same pan, add shallots and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic for another 30 seconds. Pour in chicken broth, scraping up browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Stir in cream, pepper, Italian seasoning, and Parmesan cheese.
4. Cook the Green Beans:
Add green beans to the pan, nestling them in with the chicken. Simmer for 2-4 minutes until the sauce thickens and the green beans are tender.
5. Prepare the Orzo:
While the chicken cooks, bring orzo, broth, lemon zest, and oregano to a boil in a separate saucepan. Simmer for 13-15 minutes until tender. Remove from heat, discard lemon peel, stir in butter, and finish with fresh lemon juice.
6. Serve and Enjoy!
Plate the creamy garlic chicken alongside the lemon orzo and green beans, then dig into a meal that’s as comforting as it is delicious.
This dish isn’t just a weeknight savior—it’s proof that quick meals can be packed with flavor, versatility, and a little culinary creativity.
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