Lemon Herb Orzo with Chickpeas (Printable)

A zesty, one-pot blend of orzo, chickpeas, fresh spring vegetables, and lemon herbs.

# What Goes In:

→ Pasta & Legumes

01 - 1 cup dry orzo pasta
02 - 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 cup asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
04 - 1 cup sugar snap peas, trimmed and halved
05 - 1 cup zucchini, diced
06 - 1 cup baby spinach, packed
07 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
08 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Liquids

09 - 3 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
10 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
11 - Juice and zest of 1 large lemon

→ Herbs & Seasoning

12 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
13 - 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
14 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
15 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
16 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
17 - Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until softened.
02 - Add minced garlic, diced zucchini, asparagus pieces, and sugar snap peas. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables begin to soften.
03 - Stir in the orzo and cook for 1 minute to lightly toast.
04 - Add drained chickpeas, vegetable broth, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Bring to a gentle boil.
05 - Reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
06 - Stir in fresh spinach, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until spinach is wilted.
07 - Remove from heat. Add fresh parsley and dill, toss gently to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve warm with lemon wedges if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pot, which means less cleanup and more time to actually enjoy your meal.
  • The lemon and fresh herbs make it taste restaurant-quality without any fussy technique.
  • It's naturally vegetarian, budget-friendly, and somehow feels both light and completely satisfying.
02 -
  • Don't skip the step of toasting the orzo in oil before adding the broth, because that one minute makes a real textural difference in the final dish.
  • Add the spinach and fresh herbs at the very end rather than cooking them down, because they're meant to taste fresh and keep their bright color and flavor.
03 -
  • Don't walk away from the pot once the broth comes to a simmer, because unattended orzo can suddenly decide to stick to the bottom in a way that's hard to recover from.
  • Taste the dish before serving rather than assuming the seasoning is right, because everyone's broth is different and your lemon might be juicier or less juicy than expected.
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