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HomeMealtimeRecipesPasta

Lemon Orzo with Chives

4.25 from 4 votes
Angela SellariBy Angela Sellari
Angela Sellari
Angela Sellari Founder of AboutAMom

Angela is the founder of About A Mom and currently acts as a content creator and editor-in-chief for the About A Mom Team. She has been a professional blogger for over 10 years. Angela has appeared…

Expertise: Content Creation & Editing View all posts →
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Sometimes it’s the simplest of foods that we enjoy the most. Such was the case when I made lemon orzo with chives for lunch today.

Lemon orzo pasta in a white bowl, garnished with fresh chives and a lemon half.

Of course, I could have just made a pb&j and been done with it, but this delightful dish literally took only a few minutes more to prepare. The addition of lemon makes me thing of spring which is thankfully right around the corner.

You can prepare this orzo recipe as a stand a lone dish. I think it would also go incredibly well as a side with chick, or top it with some grilled asparagus. The possibilities are endless with this one.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 2 tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 tbsp. salt
  • zest of one lemon
  • juice from 1/2 same lemon
  • pinch of paprika
  • 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta
  • 2 tbsp. butter
  • 3 tbsp. chives finely chopped
Lemon orzo with chives in a white bowl, with a lemon half and fresh chives.

Instructions:

Step 1: Place a medium sized saucepan over high heat and add the water, broth, olive oil, salt, lemon zest, lemon juice, and paprika.

Step 2: Once the liquid has come to a boil, add the orzo and stir until it has returned to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and stir once more.

Step 3: Allow to boil until the pasta is al dente, according to package directions.

Step 4: Drain the liquid (do not rinse) and place orzo in a bowl.

Step 5: Add the butter and stir to combine.

Step 6: Gently fold in the chives. Garnish with a bit more lemon zest and more chives, if desired. Serve warm or chill and serve cold.

This flavorful dish is so versatile. If you don’t have chives, you could use parsley or scallions. Some kalamata olives would also make a nice addition to this dish.

Lemon orzo with chives in a white bowl, with a lemon half and fresh chives.

Lemon Orzo with Chives

Angela Sellari
Stir up this quick 25-minute Lemon Orzo with Chives recipe! Perfect as a vibrant side dish or light main, bursting with fresh lemon flavor.
4.25 from 4 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 25 minutes mins
Course main
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 186 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • Zest of one lemon
  • Juice from 1/2 same lemon
  • Pinch of paprika
  • 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 3 tablespoons chives finely chopped

Instructions
 

  • Place a medium sized saucepan over high heat and add the water, broth, olive oil, salt, lemon zest, lemon juice, and paprika.
  • Once the liquid has come to a boil, add the orzo and stir until it has returned to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and stir once more.
  • Allow to boil until the pasta is al dente, according to package directions.
  • Drain the liquid (do not rinse) and place orzo in a bowl.
  • Add the butter and stir to combine.
  • Gently fold in the chives. Garnish with a bit more lemon zest and more chives, if desired. Serve warm or chill and serve cold.

Nutrition

Calories: 186kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 5gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 1320mgFiber: 1g
Keyword Lemon Orzo with Chives
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

About Angela SellariContent Creation & Editing

Angela is the founder of About A Mom and currently acts as a content creator and editor-in-chief for the About A Mom Team. She has been a professional blogger for over 10 years. Angela has appeared in numerous TV segments, advertising campaigns and her work has been featured by many top publications. She lives in Tampa, Florida.

Reader Interactions

Published: Mar 18, 2014 | Updated: May 14, 2026
4.25 from 4 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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Have a question? Use the form below to submit your question or comment. I love hearing from you and seeing what you made!

Recipe Rating




  1. Kathleen B says

    Posted on 3/24 at 1:08 AM

    I love orzo, I bet the lemon gives it a nice kick!

    Reply
  2. Ty @ Mama of 3 Munchkins says

    Posted on 3/24 at 2:09 AM

    This looks so delicious and I love how simple it is to make.

    Reply
  3. Shannon says

    Posted on 3/24 at 2:47 AM

    This sounds lovely and would be very easy to make vegetarian with vegetable broth. Thank you for sharing with us all and have a lovely day.

    Reply
  4. Paula @ Frosted Fingers says

    Posted on 3/24 at 1:46 PM

    I don’t like chives, but the rest of this sounds excellent!

    Reply
  5. Sandy Cain says

    Posted on 3/25 at 10:45 AM

    This looks very nice! The lemon must give it a sparkling touch that wakens your tastebuds, I will try it! You’re right – so much better than a PB&J!

    Reply
  6. Kitty Iecvan says

    Posted on 3/27 at 12:50 AM

    I love orzo! This looks like a simple and delicious recipe! I might pair this with some roasted veggies!

    Reply
  7. Tammy S says

    Posted on 3/27 at 9:36 AM

    I love orzo! I love that this recipe is easy. Plus you could always add some chicken to it and you are set for dinner.

    Reply
  8. Sandra VanHoey says

    Posted on 3/28 at 11:00 AM

    I have had all kinds of pasta before, just never this kind. This recipe however sure looks great

    Reply
  9. Julie Wood says

    Posted on 3/28 at 4:38 PM

    I have never had Orzo pasta, but this recipe to make Lemon Orzo with chives looks so delicious! I am going to make it for a side dish. I just ate my first bowl of Quiona and I really liked it.

    Reply
  10. Lisa Konieczke says

    Posted on 3/29 at 9:36 PM

    I have never made orzo before. I am always looking for something new to make. This looks like a yummy dish and I too would prefer it over the PB&J. Pinning.

    Reply
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