One-Skillet Crispy Chicken with Buttery Lemony Mushroom Orzo

5 from 9 votes

One-Skillet Crispy Chicken with Buttery Lemony Mushroom Orzo

This one-pan chicken wonder combines crispy-skinned chicken, baked directly on top of buttery, lemony orzo, studded with wild mushrooms, leeks and baby spinach. It's a complete (and completely delicious) dinner, made in a single skillet.

Prep Time30

Cook Time45

Total Time1 15

Course: Entree, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Chicken, lemon, pasta

Servings:

Calories: 901kcal

Author: Emily Clifton, Nerds with Knives

Ingredients

2 lb chicken legs and thighs (4 large pieces) (or 8 separate smaller pieces), skin-on, bone-in)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
3 tablespoons unsalted butter , divided
3/4 pound mixed wild mushrooms (or white button) , sliced
2 medium leeks 3/4 lb, 340g, white and pale green parts only, chopped (or a large yellow onion)
3 garlic cloves minced
3 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
2 cups orzo
1/2 cup dry sherry (or substitute white wine)
3 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth , divided
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons lemon zest finely grated (from 1 large lemon)
3 oz baby spinach
1 lemon cut into wedges, for garnish

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F. Dry chicken well and season generously with salt and pepper on both sides. Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a large cast-iron or other ovenproof skillet set over medium-high. Add chicken, skin side down, in a single layer. To get an even sear, place another heavy skillet on top of chicken, pressing it down. Cook until skin is crisp and deep golden brown, 10-12 minutes. Remove chicken to a plate and set aside. It will not yet be fully cooked at this point.
Add mushrooms and leeks and cook, scraping up any brown bits from the pan and stirring occasionally, until leeks are wilted and mushrooms are light brown, about 7 minutes. Add garlic and thyme, season with salt and pepper and cook until garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute.
Stir in orzo and cook until toasty smelling, about 3 minutes. Pour in sherry and stir, until liquid is evaporated, about 1 minute. Add 3 cups broth, bring to a simmer and cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes.
Nestle chicken back in pan, skin side up and transfer skillet to oven; bake, uncovered, until chicken is cooked through (it should register 165ºF on a thermometer) and orzo is tender, about 15 minutes.
Remove from oven and transfer chicken to a platter. Stir orzo and, if dry, stir in the last 1/2 cup broth. Stir in lemon juice, zest and remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Fold in baby spinach, a handful at a time, until wilted. Taste orzo for seasoning. Serve with lemon wedges.

Nutrition

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