The Flavor-Packed Barefoot Contessa Crispy Chicken With Lemon Orzo Recipe

Crispy chicken with lemon orzo represents a Mediterranean-inspired culinary adventure that transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

Bright citrus notes dance alongside golden-brown protein, creating a harmonious symphony of flavors and textures.

Home cooks appreciate such versatile recipes that balance simplicity with sophisticated taste profiles.

Weeknight dinners demand smart solutions that don’t compromise on quality or satisfaction.

Strategic seasoning elevates basic ingredients into something memorable and delightful.

Light, tangy orzo provides a perfect canvas for succulent, crackling-skinned chicken that promises maximum enjoyment.

Why Crispy Chicken and Lemon Orzo Feels Like Sunshine

• Crisp and Golden Chicken Perfection: This recipe delivers an incredibly crispy chicken exterior with a perfectly cooked, juicy interior, achieved through a genius combination of stovetop and oven cooking techniques.
• Zesty Lemon Orzo Delight: The orzo side dish bursts with bright, tangy flavors from fresh lemon zest and juice, complemented by creamy feta and aromatic dill, creating a vibrant and refreshing accompaniment to the rich chicken.
• Restaurant-Quality Cooking at Home: Using a cast-iron skillet and precise cooking method, home cooks can easily replicate a professional-level dish with minimal technical skills, transforming a simple chicken breast into a restaurant-worthy meal in under an hour.
• Butter Brown Magic: The final stovetop step of browning butter adds a nutty, complex flavor dimension that elevates the entire dish, turning a basic chicken recipe into a gourmet experience with just a few extra minutes of cooking.

The Grocery List for Your Crispy Orzo Dream

• Chicken Breasts: Bone-in, skin-on breasts for maximum flavor and crispy texture.
• Chicken Tenders: Reserved for another use or optional meal preparation.

• Flour: Creates a crispy, golden exterior for the chicken.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasoning for enhancing chicken's flavor.

• Canola Oil: Provides high-heat cooking base with neutral flavor.
• Butter: Adds rich, nutty flavor and helps create brown butter sauce.

• Fresh Parsley: Bright, fresh herb for final garnish and color.

• Orzo Pasta: Small rice-shaped pasta that serves as the base for the dish.
• Water, Salt: For cooking orzo to perfect al dente texture.

• Lemon Zest, Lemon Juice: Adds bright, citrusy notes to the pasta.
• Olive Oil: Provides smooth, rich undertone to orzo.
• Fresh Dill: Herbaceous, delicate flavor that complements lemon.
• Feta Cheese: Tangy, creamy cheese that adds richness to orzo.

Making Crispy Chicken with a Citrus Twist

Step 1: Prep the Oven and Seasoning Blend

• Flour
• Salt
• Black pepper

Whisk the dry ingredients until perfectly combined.

Step 2: Coat the Chicken

Remove chicken tenders and set aside. Dredge each chicken piece generously in the seasoned flour mixture, ensuring a light, even coating. Shake off any excess flour.

Step 3: Create the Sizzling Skillet

• Canola oil
• Butter

Heat the mixture over medium flame until butter starts dancing and bubbling.

Step 4: Initial Chicken Sear

Carefully place chicken skin-side down in the hot skillet. Let it cook undisturbed for 12 minutes, developing a gorgeous golden-brown crust.

Step 5: Oven Roasting Magic

Transfer the entire skillet to the preheated oven. Roast for 10 minutes, allowing even heat circulation.

Step 6: Finishing Touch

Return skillet to stovetop. Flip chicken skin-side up, add remaining butter. Cook 3-5 minutes until butter turns nutty brown and chicken reaches 55-60°C internal temperature.

Step 7: Herb Garnish

Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the chicken for a burst of color and freshness.

Step 8: Prepare Zesty Orzo

Boil water in a large saucepan. Add salt and orzo. Cook 9-11 minutes until perfectly tender.

Step 9: Dress the Orzo

• Lemon zest
• Lemon juice
• Olive oil
• Fresh dill
• Salt
• Pepper

Gently fold in crumbled feta for a creamy, tangy finish.

Serve chicken atop the lemony orzo and enjoy your culinary masterpiece!

Tips for a Tangy Chicken-Orzo Harmony

• Achieve Crispy Skin: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels before seasoning to remove excess moisture, ensuring a golden, crunchy exterior.
• Select the Right Skillet: Choose a heavy-bottomed cast-iron pan that distributes heat evenly and creates that perfect restaurant-style crisp.
• Master Chicken Doneness: Use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature, avoiding guesswork and preventing dry, overcooked meat.
• Elevate Orzo Texture: Stir the pasta frequently while cooking and taste-test to catch that perfect al dente moment just before it becomes mushy.
• Boost Fresh Flavor: Chop parsley right before garnishing to preserve its vibrant color and release maximum aromatic oils for a bright, fresh finish.

Save Your Crispy Chicken Like a Pro

• Refrigerate: Seal crispy chicken with lemon orzo in an airtight glass container, which maintains crispiness better than plastic. Keep refrigerated for maximum 48 hours to prevent moisture buildup and texture degradation.
• Freeze Smart: Separate chicken and orzo into individual portions before freezing. Pack in freezer-safe containers with tight-sealing lids, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Frozen portions stay delicious for 4 weeks when properly stored.
• Revive Crispiness: Avoid microwave reheating, which turns breading soggy. Resurrect chicken's crunch by using oven method: spread pieces on baking sheet, cover loosely with foil, and warm at 375°F for 10-12 minutes.

Orzo and Lemon Chicken Remix Ideas You’ll Crave

• Mediterranean Herb Chicken: Replace parsley with a blend of fresh oregano, thyme, and rosemary for an aromatic Mediterranean-inspired version. Swap feta with crumbled goat cheese to enhance the herbal flavor profile.
• Spicy Cajun Chicken Remix: Modify the flour mixture by adding Cajun seasoning and smoked paprika for a bold, zesty kick. Incorporate chopped green onions and cayenne pepper into the orzo for extra heat and depth.
• Garlic Parmesan Crispy Chicken: Infuse the flour coating with grated Parmesan cheese and garlic powder. Create a garlic-infused butter for basting and sprinkle additional Parmesan over the finished dish for a rich, savory experience.
• Lemon Herb Mediterranean Orzo: Increase lemon zest and add fresh mint alongside dill. Include toasted pine nuts and chopped kalamata olives in the orzo for a more complex Mediterranean-inspired side dish.

When Crispy Meets Zesty and You Can’t Say Goodbye

Crispy chicken with lemon orzo emerges as pure culinary magic, blending Mediterranean flavors with classic comfort.

Ina Garten’s signature technique transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary dining experience.

Cast-iron skillet mastery creates golden-brown chicken with irresistible butter-basted complexity.

Zesty lemon orzo provides perfect accompaniment, balancing rich protein with bright, herbaceous notes.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this recipe promises restaurant-quality meal right from home kitchen.

Craving gourmet dinner?

Share this delectable discovery, spark conversation, and inspire fellow cooking enthusiasts to embrace their inner chef.

Barefoot Contessa Crispy Chicken With Lemon Orzo Recipe

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4.9 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Barefoot Contessa’s crispy chicken with lemon orzo delivers Mediterranean elegance on one delightful plate. Zesty lemon, perfectly golden chicken, and creamy orzo combine for a sophisticated dinner experience you’ll savor with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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Protein:

• 4 boneless, skin-on chicken breasts (about 0.5 pounds or 225 grams each)

Dry Ingredients:

• 85 grams (3 ounces) all-purpose flour
• 200 grams (7 ounces) orzo

Herbs, Seasonings, and Additional Ingredients:

• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 60 milliliters (¼ cup) canola oil
• 130 grams (4.6 ounces) good European-style unsalted butter, divided
• 30 grams (1 ounce) minced fresh parsley
• 1 lemon, cut into 8 wedges
• 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
• 30 milliliters (2 tablespoons) freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 30 milliliters (2 tablespoons) good olive oil
• 15 grams (0.5 ounces) minced fresh dill
• 100 grams (3.5 ounces) small-diced feta, preferably Greek

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Instructions

1. Elevate the oven temperature to 230°C (450°F), ensuring precise heat for optimal cooking.
2. Create a seasoned flour coating by mixing flour with of salt and of pepper in a shallow dish. Carefully remove chicken tenders from breasts and thoroughly coat the chicken pieces in the seasoned flour mixture, gently shaking off any excess.
3. Melt canola oil and of butter in a large 30-centimeter (12-inch) cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Once the butter begins to sizzle and bubble, carefully place the chicken skin-side down in the skillet. Allow the chicken to cook undisturbed for 12 minutes, developing a golden-brown crust.
4. Transfer the skillet with chicken directly into the preheated oven, roasting for 10 minutes to ensure even cooking and crisp texture.
5. Return the skillet to the stovetop, positioning over medium heat. Delicately flip the chicken so the skin faces upward, then add the remaining of butter. Continue cooking for 3-5 minutes until the butter transforms into a rich, nutty brown color and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 55-60°C (131-140°F).
6. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the chicken, adding a vibrant burst of herbal freshness.
7. Fill a large saucepan with 2 liters () of water and bring to a rolling boil. Introduce of salt and the orzo pasta. Once the water returns to a boil, simmer for 9-11 minutes until the orzo reaches a perfectly tender al dente consistency. Drain the pasta thoroughly.
8. In a mixing bowl, combine the drained orzo with lemon zest, freshly squeezed lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, chopped dill, an additional of salt, and of pepper. Gently fold in crumbled feta cheese, creating a bright and tangy pasta accompaniment.

Notes

• Achieve a crispy exterior by patting the chicken dry before seasoning, ensuring maximum browning potential.
• Cast-iron skillets distribute heat evenly, creating the perfect golden-brown crust on your chicken.
• Resting the meat after cooking allows juices to redistribute, guaranteeing a tender and succulent bite.
• Cooking orzo just until al dente maintains its delightful texture and prevents mushy pasta.
• Chopped fresh parsley adds a vibrant burst of color and bright, herbaceous flavor to the final dish.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 815
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 750mg
• Fat: 48g
• Saturated Fat: 16.5g
• Carbohydrates: 25g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 34g
• Cholesterol: 185mg