Creamy Lemon Orzo
Creamy Lemon Orzo
This Creamy Lemon Orzo is a simple and delicious side dish that can be ready in less than 30 minutes. Pairs perfectly with chicken or fish.
If you’re looking for a simple and delicious side dish for dinner, this Creamy Lemon Orzo is perfect! Fresh, bright and flavourful with lemon and parmesan cheese. A great recipe to add to your dinner rotation.
About this recipe:
Made with simple ingredients, this side dish is easy to put together and can be ready in less than 30 minutes. It’s creamy, cheesy and lemony making it a great recipe with chicken or salmon! So so good.
The key is to sauté the orzo first!
Even though orzo is a pasta, you need to sauté it in melted butter first to get it’s full flavour potential. This simple step makes the MOST flavourful orzo…buttery and kind of nutty…so don’t skip this step.
Creamy Lemon Orzo Recipe Tips:
- ORZO: Orzo is a dried pasta that can be found in the pasta aisle of the grocery store.
- LEMON: This recipe calls for juice from 1/2 a lemon and 1 tbsp lemon zest. If you want more lemon flavour feel free to add more of each to your taste.
- BROTH: This recipe calls for chicken broth but you can also use vegetable broth.
- CREAM: Use half and half or whole milk. The richer the cream, the richer the dish.
- PARMESAN CHEESE: Use grated parmesan cheese.
- STIR IT! Make sure to stir the orzo often while this dish is simmering to prevent burning on the bottom of the pan.
- What to do if the liquid cooks off before the orzo is cooked? Sometimes this happens, not to worry! Just add more broth and/or cream, about 1/4 cup at a time.
Serving Suggestions:
This Creamy Lemon Orzo is a delicious side dish with roast chicken or salmon.
Creamy Lemon Orzo
Ingredients
- 1 cup orzo
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 cups chicken broth
- juice from 1/2 lemon
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 1/2 cup half + half cream
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
Instructions
- In a skillet over medium heat melt 2 tbsp butter.
- Add the dried orzo pasta, and mix well to coat the orzo with the butter.
- Stir continuously, and sauté until the orzo is lightly golden brown, about 3 – 4 minutes.
- Then add the chicken broth and bring to a low boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover and let simmer until the orzo has soaked up the liquid, about 15 minutes. Make sure to stir often, to prevent burning to the bottom of the pan.
- Then add the lemon juice and zest, and simmer for about 2 more minutes.
- Stir in the cream and parmesan cheese, then simmer for 2 minutes.
- Season with fresh ground pepper.
- Serve right away!
More Orzo Recipes:
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Have a delicious day!
Just made this and it is so good! Quick and easy with a luxurious taste! Will definitely add this to my favorite recipes!
I just made this but have not yet sat down to eat it. I am wondering about the 1 1/2 cup of half & half. Is that right or did you mean 1/2 cup? I used evaporated milk in lieu of the half & half and only added 1 cup but it was (and is!) still rather sloppy. The orzo was lovely up until that addition and now it just looks like soup, even though I let it simmer with the lid off for awhile to see if that would allow the liquid to be absorbed/evaporate slightly. I am sure it will be very tasty but would just like some input on the amount. I will definitely make this again but will dial back on the half & half amount, I think.
Hi Beverly! The amount of half & half is correct. If you find it too much, you can absolutely start with less and add more as needed.
I really enjoyed this. I halved the recipe and served it with pork chops and asparagus for a great meal. Thanks for sharing this nice keeper.
Wow! This is delicious! Couldn’t ask for a creamier or tastier side dish. A definite make-again recipe. Thanks for sharing this.
This was terrific even thought I lightened it up a bit by using 1% milk instead of half and half! Browning the orzo first really enhanced the kind of nutty flavor. Yum!!
We love orzo, and this really kicks it up! Loved the lemon flavor from the juice and zest (see error in ingredient list, where it says juice but should say zest), and the half n half makes this a creamy delight! Thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe! Made for Best of 2024 on Food, Friends & Fun.
This was fantastic. I made it for a main course. Refreshing and yummy