Description
Ina Garten’s crispy chicken with lemon orzo brings Mediterranean warmth to dinner tables. Juicy chicken and tangy orzo combine for a simple yet elegant meal you’ll crave repeatedly.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skin-on chicken breasts (about 0.5 lbs or 225 g each)
- 85 g (3 oz) all-purpose flour
- 200 g (7 oz) orzo
- 130 g (4.6 oz) good European-style unsalted butter, divided
- 100 g (3.5 oz) small-diced feta, preferably Greek
- 60 ml (¼ cup) canola oil
- 30 ml (2 tbsps) good olive oil
- 30 g (1 oz) minced fresh parsley
- 15 g (0.5 oz) minced fresh dill
- 2 tsps grated lemon zest
- 30 ml (2 tbsps) freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 lemon, cut into 8 wedges
- kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheating: Set oven to 230°C (450°F) for optimal crispy chicken preparation.
- Flour Coating: Dredge chicken pieces in seasoned flour mixture, ensuring even, light coverage by gently shaking off excess.
- Searing Technique: Melt oil and butter in a cast-iron skillet over medium heat, positioning chicken skin-side down. Cook undisturbed for 12 minutes to develop a golden, crispy exterior.
- Oven Roasting: Transfer skillet directly into preheated oven, roasting for 10 minutes to guarantee uniform cooking and enhanced texture.
- Finishing Touches: Return skillet to stovetop, flip chicken with skin facing upward, and add remaining butter. Cook for 3-5 minutes until butter caramelizes and chicken reaches 55-60°C (131-140°F) internal temperature.
- Herbal Garnish: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over chicken for a vibrant, aromatic enhancement.
- Orzo Preparation: Boil water, add salt and orzo pasta. Simmer 9-11 minutes until perfectly al dente, then drain thoroughly.
- Lemon Orzo Assembly: Combine orzo with lemon zest, juice, olive oil, dill, salt, pepper, and crumbled feta. Toss gently to create a bright, zesty pasta accompaniment.
Notes
- Preheating Precision: Set oven at exactly 230°C to guarantee perfect crispy chicken exterior with golden-brown results.
- Flour Coating Technique: Shake off excess flour to prevent heavy, clumpy layers and ensure a light, crisp breading that adheres perfectly.
- Skillet Selection Matters: Use a cast-iron skillet for even heat distribution and superior browning, creating restaurant-quality chicken with consistent crispiness.
- Temperature Control: Monitor chicken’s internal temperature closely, aiming for 55-60°C to maintain juicy meat while achieving a perfectly crisp exterior.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg