1-First Steps and Chicken Preparation: To prepare the chicken, flatten 3 to 4 chicken breasts with a meat mallet, then lightly season both sides with garlic salt. Sear them in a nonstick pan over medium-high heat with 2 tablespoons of olive oil for 4 to 6 minutes per side until browned and cooked through. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before chopping into pieces. This step ensures juicy, flavorful protein to mix into your Lemon Basil Orzo.

2-Cooking the Orzo: For the lemon orzo, cook 1 pound (16 ounces) of orzo according to package instructions and strain it well. In a large bowl, toss the orzo with 3 tablespoons of olive oil, the juice of 2 lemons, and 1 teaspoon of garlic salt. Stir in 1 cup of fresh parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup of fresh chopped basil, and the zest of 2 lemons. Finally, add the chopped chicken and mix everything together for a complete dish.

3-Final Touches and Serving: Once combined, serve immediately to enjoy the warm, fresh flavors. The total preparation, including chopping and mixing, takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Tips like cooking orzo in chicken broth instead of water add extra flavor, and letting the chicken rest keeps it juicy.