Chicken and Orzo with Lemon Garlic Pan Sauce
Thin-sliced chicken breasts are prepared with a vibrant lemon-garlic pan sauce and served on a bed of lemony orzo pasta and broccoli for a perfectly paired main and side.
6 Tbsp. unsalted butter, divided
1 1/2 cups uncooked orzo pasta
1 carton (32 oz.) College Inn® Chicken Stock, divided
1/2 tsp. salt
Ground black pepper, to taste
3 cups broccoli flowerets, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
2 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (about 8 oz. each), sliced in half horizontally
2 tsp. minced garlic
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tsp. finely grated lemon zest
1 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
Thin lemon slices, optional garnish
Melt 1 Tbsp. butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in orzo and cook about 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until toasted. Stir in 3 cups of stock, salt and pepper; bring just to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in broccoli and cook about 3 minutes until orzo is tender. Cover, remove from heat and set aside.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Meanwhile, place flour in a shallow dish. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then dip in flour on both sides to coat, shaking off any excess. Add chicken to the skillet and cook 5 to 6 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through (165°F internal temperature). Transfer to a serving dish and cover loosely with foil to keep warm.
Add 1 Tbsp. butter and garlic to the skillet and cook 30 seconds on medium-high heat. Add lemon juice and remaining chicken stock, scraping up any browned bits in the pan; reduce heat and simmer 8 to 10 minutes until sauce is reduced by half and starts to thicken slightly.
Remove skillet from heat; whisk in remaining 4 Tbsp. butter until melted. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Stir lemon zest into orzo. To serve, spoon orzo and broccoli onto plates or in shallow bowls. Top with chicken; spoon sauce over chicken and garnish with parsley and lemon slice, if desired.