One Pan Lemon Orzo Chicken With Artichoke Hearts Recipes

ONE-PAN LEMON ORZO CHICKEN WITH ARTICHOKE HEARTS

Steps:

• Pat the chicken dry and season all over with salt and pepper.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet (oven-proof if you plan on broiling the dish at the end, see notes above.) When the oil is hot and shimmering, add the chicken to the pan and sear for 3 minutes side, or until nicely golden. Transfer to a plate.
• Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining 1/2 tablespoon oil to the skillet. Add the garlic and orzo and cook for 2 minutes, just to lightly toast the orzo.
• Add the artichoke hearts, herbs de Provence, and water or stock to the pan and bring to a boil over high heat. Lower the heat to a simmer, return the chicken thighs to the skillet, cover and cook 15 to 20 minutes. [Note: Times will vary depending on the kind of orzo you are using, the shape of the pan, the strength of your stovetop. My orzo (not whole wheat) consistently is cooked in 15 minutes or less, so just keep an eye on things.]
• Transfer chicken thighs to a board, and chop into cubes with a knife or shred with two forks. Return the chicken to the skillet. Add the lemon zest and juice. Add a few handfuls (about 1/2 cup) of parmesan and stir to combine. Taste. Adjust with salt and pepper to taste. Add the parsley and stir to combine.
• This is where I stop (see notes above). I find it delicious as it. BUT, if you want to take it a step further, sprinkle a layer of cheese (about 1/2 to 3/4 cup) over the top and broil for 3 to 4 minutes or until cheese is bubbling and lightly browned. Keep an eye on it!
• Serve immediately.

LEMON ORZO CHICKEN

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a pan and fry the leeks for 5 mins over a medium-high heat, adding a splash of boiling water from the kettle halfway through to steam them slightly. Add the orzo, asparagus and stock, and cook for 10 mins over a high heat, stirring continuously.
• Stir through the crème fraîche, lemon zest, juice, chicken, peas and most of the chives. Season and keep on the heat for 3-4 mins to warm through the chicken, adding a splash of water to loosen if needed. Divide between bowls and top with the remaining chives.

BRAISED CHICKEN WITH ARTICHOKES, OLIVES, AND LEMON

Steps:

• Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat a large straight-sided skillet over medium-high. Add oil, then chicken, skin-side down, in a single layer. Cook, turning, until browned, 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
• Reduce heat to medium. Add garlic and artichokes; cook until golden brown in places, 5 to 7 minutes. Add olives, oregano, and flour; cook, stirring constantly, 30 seconds. Stir in broth and lemon, scraping browned bits from bottom of pan. Return chicken, skinside up, and any juices to pan; bring to a simmer. Partially cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer until a thermometer inserted in thickest part of chicken (without touching bone) registers 165 degrees, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove lid; continue simmering until sauce thickens slightly. Serve over orzo, sprinkled with oregano leaves.

CHICKEN WITH ARTICHOKES AND LEMON

Steps:

• If using fresh artichokes, fill a large bowl with water. Cut 1 lemon in half then squeeze the juice into the water; add the spent lemon halves to the bowl, too.
• Prepare the artichokes one at a time, rubbing them all over with the spent lemon halves as you cut and expose the inner artichoke heart. First, cut off at least 1 inch of the thorny top. Trim the stem near the heart, leaving about 2 inches of stem if possible, then peel off the outer green fiber of the stem. Using your fingers, tear off the tough outer leaves, then switch to a sharp paring or bird's beak knife, when necessary, to shave more inner artichoke leaves until you reach the tender pale green or yellow leaves and create a bulbous shape. Gently open the leaves and remove the choke using a grapefruit spoon or melon baller, then scrape and tear (or slice) the remaining leaves off so that only the bottom remains. Cut the artichoke heart in quarters; put the quarters in the lemon water as you work to prevent discoloration. Discard the rest of the artichoke, leaves and stem, or reserve for another use.
• Pat chicken dry, then season all over with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, warm the olive oil over medium-high heat, then add the chicken, skin-side down. Cook, undisturbed until well browned, 7 to 8 minutes. Flip and brown the other side, about 5 minutes. Transfer chicken thighs to a plate and spoon out about 3 tablespoons of fat from the pan, if desired. (You can discard the excess fat or save for another use.)
• Return the skillet to medium heat and add the onion, garlic, parsley and saffron. Season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle the cinnamon over the onion, then stir to combine.
• Add the broth to deglaze, scraping the bottom of the pan, and bring to a simmer over medium-high. Return the chicken to the pan, nestling it into the pan skin-side up. Arrange the artichokes between the chicken pieces, cover, and simmer over medium-low until the chicken is cooked through, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove the chicken with a slotted spoon and transfer to a plate.
• Raise the heat to medium-high and cook until the sauce is thickened and the artichokes slightly browned, about 5 minutes. Stir in the juice from half the remaining lemon, taste, and adjust with salt and more lemon juice if needed. Spoon artichokes and pan sauces over the chicken, sprinkle with parsley to garnish, and serve.