This lemon parmesan orzo is one of my favorite easy side dishes when dinner needs something a little more exciting than plain rice or pasta. Made with orzo pasta, parmesan cheese, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, basil, and chicken broth, it has a bright lemon flavor that pairs well with chicken, shrimp, fish, and pork.
Everything cooks in one saucepan, making it a great option for busy weeknights. The orzo absorbs the chicken broth as it cooks, creating a flavorful side dish that feels a little special without adding much extra work.
Shortcut Notes
- One-pan side dish: The orzo cooks directly in the broth, so there's no extra pot of water to boil or pasta to drain.
- Ready in 20 minutes: This quick side dish comes together fast and works well for weeknight dinners.
- Simple ingredients: Made with pantry staples plus fresh lemon and basil for plenty of flavor.
Jump to:
What is Orzo?
This rice-shaped pasta is not rice. Orzo looks like rice but is a type of pasta. It is also known as risoni.
It can be served hot or cold like other types of pasta. Orzo can be boiled and drained like other pasta cuts or cooked with less liquid on low heat like rice (like this recipe).
Ingredients
- Butter - Salted butter is best. If using unsalted, add salt to taste to the finished dish.
- Orzo pasta - Uncooked orzo pasta.
- Chicken broth - Or stock. See substitution notes below.
- Parmesan cheese - Shredded, grated, or shaved.
- Fresh lemon juice - Fresh lemon juice has a brighter flavor than bottled.
- Fresh basil - If using dried basil, see substitution notes below.
- Milk - To add to the creaminess of the cheese.
- Lemon zest - Use a microplane or citrus zester. See directions below.
- Cayenne pepper - Ground cayenne pepper for a touch of spice.
- Garlic powder - For taste.
- Salt - To taste.
Directions
Melt butter in a medium saucepan on medium heat to medium-high heat.
Stir in orzo until coated with butter.
Stir occasionally for about 5 minutes or until orzo browns slightly (see photos for reference).
Add chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes or until al dente. The orzo absorbs all of the broth, so there is no liquid to drain.
Remove from the heat and stir in the shredded parmesan, fresh lemon juice, fresh basil, milk, lemon zest, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder. Taste and add salt to taste if desired.
Serve lemon parmesan immediately while it is still warm.
How to Zest a Lemon
Zesting a lemon is easy. Use a citrus zester, microplane, or cheese grater to zest the bright yellow outside of the lemon peel.
- Hold the citrus zester in one hand by the handle. Place the other tip of the microplane on the counter, holding it at an angle.
- Hold the lemon in your other hand and push it lengthwise down the zester from the handle to the other tip.
- Rotate the lemon as needed to get more of the bright yellow peel.
Tip: Use the outermost layer of the lemon peel. The white layer underneath can have a bitter taste.
Substitutions
- Broth - Use chicken stock, chicken broth, vegetable both, or even water.
- Lemons - Fresh lemons are the only way to go! No substitutions here. Trust me, it's worth it to juice and zest your own lemons.
- Parmesan - This dish is also delicious with feta cheese crumbles.
- Basil - Fresh basil is preferred but can be substituted with dried basil. Instead of two tablespoons of fresh basil, use 2 scant teaspoons of dried basil. This recipe would also be great with fresh parsley.
- Milk - For a dairy-free option, use 1 tablespoon water or unsweetened non-dairy milk. For a creamy orzo, try heavy cream instead.
- Cayenne pepper - Cayenne pepper can be omitted or replaced with red pepper flakes. Alternatively, you may like freshly ground black pepper instead.
What to Serve with Lemon Parmesan Orzo
This lemon parmesan orzo pairs well with chicken, seafood, and vegetables. The bright lemon flavor complements a variety of main dishes, making it an easy side dish to keep in your rotation.
- Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs and Green Beans: A simple sheet pan dinner paired with lemon orzo creates a complete meal with very little extra effort.
- Italian Chicken Cutlets: Crispy breaded chicken cutlets and lemon orzo are a classic combination.
- Oven Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs: The lemon flavors in both dishes work well together for an easy weeknight dinner.
- Baked Pesto Crusted Salmon with Panko: The fresh herbs, parmesan, and lemon pair beautifully with salmon.
📖 Recipe
Lemon Parmesan Orzo
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese shredded
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice fresh
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil chopped
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- salt to taste if desired
Instructions
- Melt butter in a medium saucepan on medium-high heat.
- Stir in orzo until coated with butter. Stir occasionally for about 5 minutes or until orzo browns slightly.
- Add chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the shredded parmesan, fresh lemon juice, fresh basil, milk, lemon zest, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder. Taste and add salt to taste if desired. Serve hot.
Carol says
Making this for the family tonight. I can't wait!
Xavier says
This was the tastiest meal I've had all week. Totally makes work days better.