Chicken Orzo (30-Minutes, One-Pan)
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb chicken breasts
skinless, boneless
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup orzo
uncooked
- 5 cloves garlic
minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 10 oz cherry tomatoes
sliced in half
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 5 oz fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup basil pesto
Directions
- 1
Slice chicken breasts into thinner strips. Generously season the chicken with smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- 2
To the same, now empty, skillet, add 1 cup of uncooked orzo, 5 cloves of minced garlic, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Cook the orzo on medium heat, stirring, for about 2 minutes until browned.
Chicken Orzo (30-Minutes, One-Pan)
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About this Recipe
Craving a comforting, delicious dinner that doesn't demand hours in the kitchen? This 30-minute, one-pan Chicken Orzo delivers a restaurant-quality meal right to your table, perfect for busy weeknights.
The beauty of this creamy chicken orzo lies in its simplicity and efficiency. It uses just one pan, minimizing cleanup, while layering flavors from tender chicken seasoned with smoked paprika and Italian seasoning, vibrant cherry tomatoes, and fresh spinach. The rich, creamy sauce, brightened by basil pesto, ties it all together beautifully.
Prepare for a wonderfully creamy and savory dish. The orzo pasta cooks directly in flavorful chicken stock, absorbing all the delicious spices and juices from the chicken and tomatoes, resulting in a perfectly tender texture. You'll find bites of juicy, well-seasoned chicken complemented by the sweetness of burst cherry tomatoes and the freshness of wilted spinach, all enveloped in a rich sauce that feels both indulgent and remarkably fresh, thanks to the pesto. This is a hearty, satisfying meal that feels special yet is incredibly easy to achieve in just 30 minutes.
While delicious as written, you can easily adapt this dish. For a different protein, consider swapping the chicken for shrimp or firm tofu. If you don't have basil pesto, you could experiment with a sun-dried tomato pesto for a distinct flavor, though the classic basil adds a lovely fresh note. For an extra touch of richness at the end, a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese would be a welcome addition.
This one-pan chicken orzo is a fantastic choice for a family dinner on any busy weekday, offering comfort and flavor without fuss. Serve it simply as is, perhaps with a light side salad or crusty bread to soak up the creamy sauce, to complete the meal.