Lemon Chicken Orzo

Trying to catch up on my blog so that I don't have to keep trying to find where I wrote down recipes or remember where I saw them before. This recipe is a perfect case in point because I made it several times and then the recipe vanished! So I've mostly pieced it together from memory and similar recipes until I found just the right combination. Even my pickiest eaters will eat it and it all cooks in one pot!

Lemon Chicken Orzo

Ingredients:

1 rotisserie chicken (or 3 cups cooked chicken)

2 T. olive oil

1 med. onion (diced)

2 tsp. garlic (going to be honest I'm garlic crazy and always add more)

1 16oz box of orzo pasta

2 tsp. italian seasoning

half a med. lemon (or more to taste) juiced

6 cups chicken broth

2 cups heavy cream

1 cup shredded parmesan

3-4 cups fresh spinach (chopped)

salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Prepare you chicken or chop up the rotisserie. Set aside. 

In a large pan heat olive oil and diced onion and saute until soft. If the onion begins to brown too fast you can add a little more oil or a splash of water. Add the garlic and cook 1 more minute. Add orzo, italian seasoning and lemon juice and slightly toast the pasta until light brown. 

Add the chicken broth, bring to a boil and reduce heat to a simmer, stirring occasionally to make sure the orzo doesn't stick to the pan. Once the orzo is beginning to soften add cream and parmesan and continue cooking until orzo is cooked to your preference and sauce is reduced/thickened. Add the chicken and spinach and cook until all ingredients are heated and combined. Salt and pepper to taste.