Zesty Lemon Chicken & Veggie Orzo Stir Fry Recipe
This Zesty Lemon Chicken & Veggie Orzo Stir Fry is a vibrant and healthy Mediterranean-inspired one-pan meal combining tender chicken breast, colorful vegetables, and orzo pasta tossed in a refreshing lemon-soy sauce. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that’s both satisfying and nutritious.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Low Salt
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 3–4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (1 lb), cubed
- 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
Pasta
- 1 cup orzo pasta
Vegetables
- 1 bell pepper (any color), diced
- 1 medium zucchini, sliced
- 1 cup broccoli florets
Sauce & Seasoning
- 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Wash and chop all vegetables into bite-sized pieces; cube the chicken breasts into even pieces for uniform cooking.
- Cook Orzo: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the orzo pasta and cook for about 8 minutes or until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken cubes with salt and pepper, then add to the skillet. Cook the chicken pieces until they turn golden brown and are cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add Vegetables and Garlic: Stir in minced garlic, cooking for about 1 minute until fragrant. Then add the diced bell peppers, sliced zucchini, and broccoli florets. Sauté the vegetables until they are tender-crisp, approximately 5 minutes.
- Create Sauce: In a small bowl, mix the low-sodium soy sauce with fresh lemon juice until combined. Pour this sauce over the chicken and vegetable mixture in the skillet.
- Combine and Heat Through: Add the cooked orzo pasta to the skillet. Gently toss all ingredients together and cook until everything is heated through and well mixed.
Notes
- Feel free to substitute vegetables based on your preference or seasonality.
- To reduce sodium, use low-sodium soy sauce or tamari.
- Cook chicken fully before combining with orzo to ensure safe consumption.
- For added zest, garnish with fresh lemon zest or chopped parsley before serving.
- This dish stores well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, making it great for meal prep.
Keywords: lemon chicken, orzo stir fry, healthy chicken recipes, quick dinner, Mediterranean chicken, chicken and vegetables, one-pan meal, lemon soy chicken
