Go Back
Ina Garten Crispy Chicken with Lemon Orzo Recipe

Ina Garten Crispy Chicken with Lemon Orzo Recipe

Emily Grace
Ina Garten Crispy Chicken with Lemon Orzo Recipe is warm, bright and full of great flavor. The chicken turns very crispy outside and stays juicy inside.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 520 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 4 chicken thighs bone-in, skin-on
  • 1 ½ cups orzo
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped
  • 1 small onion finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves minced

Instructions
 

Season the Chicken

  • Rub chicken with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Make sure the skin is dry so it gets crispy.

Heat the Skillet

  • Add oil to a hot skillet. Let the oil warm until it starts to shimmer slightly.

Crisp the Chicken

  • Place chicken skin-side down. Cook until skin becomes golden, crisp, and very firm to the touch.

Flip the Chicken

  • Turn the chicken over. Cook the other side until it becomes brown and fully cooked inside.

Sauté the Onion

  • Remove chicken. Add chopped onion into the skillet. Cook until soft, sweet, and lightly golden.

Add Garlic

  • Stir in garlic. Cook for one minute until you smell a strong, warm aroma rising.

Add Orzo

  • Add orzo into the skillet. Stir well so each piece gets a light coating of oil.

Add Broth

  • Pour chicken broth into the skillet. Mix gently and let the orzo soak up the liquid.

Add Lemon

  • Add lemon zest and lemon juice. Stir so the flavors spread evenly through the orzo.

Add Butter

  • Drop in butter. Let it melt slowly to give the orzo a rich and silky taste.

Cook the Orzo

  • Simmer mixture. Let the orzo become soft, fluffy, and full of lemon flavor.

Add Chicken Back

  • Place crispy chicken on top of cooked orzo. Let flavors mix for a few more minutes.

Add Parsley

  • Sprinkle fresh parsley for color, freshness, and a bright green touch.

Rest the Dish

  • Turn off heat. Let everything sit for two minutes so flavors combine deeply.

Serve Warm

  • Serve chicken on top of lemon orzo. Make sure each plate has plenty of sauce.

Notes

  • Dry the chicken skin before cooking for best crispiness.
  • Use fresh lemon for strong and bright flavor.
  • Do not rush cooking the orzo. It needs slow simmering.
  • Taste the orzo and add salt if needed.
  • Use chicken thighs instead of chicken breast for juicier meat.
Keyword Ina Garten Crispy Chicken with Lemon Orzo Recipe