Creamy Chicken Orzo

Creamy Chicken Orzo

from skinnyspatula.com
30 min

This creamy chicken orzo is a cheesy, velvety one-pot dish that’s comfort food at its best. It has tender chicken and orzo smothered in a creamy Parmesan sauce and you can have it on the table in 30 minutes!

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon (20 g) butter
  • 1 lb (450 g) chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 medium shallot, finely diced
  • 2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh oregano, finely chopped
  • 10.5 oz (300 g) orzo
  • 4 cups (1 litre) chicken stock
  • Juice of half a lemon
  • 2 cups (75 g) baby spinach
  • 1/2 cup (100 ml) half and half (single cream)
  • 1/3 cup (30 g) Parmesan, grated
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Directions

  1. 1

    Heat the olive oil in a large, deep pan and melt the butter in it.

  2. 2

    Add the chicken breast and cook for 4-5 minutes over medium heat until slightly golden. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.

  3. 3

    To the same pan, add the shallot and cook for 1-2 minutes. Stir in the garlic, thyme and oregano and continue to cook for another minute.

  4. 4

    Add the orzo, toast it for a minute, and then pour in the chicken stock. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes until the orzo is al dente.

  5. 5

    Stir in the baby spinach and lemon juice and simmer for 1-2 minutes until the spinach is wilted.

  6. 6

    Add the half and half and stir to combine. Simmer for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens, then add the cooked chicken and grated Parmesan.

  7. 7

    Season to taste and serve immediately, with some extra grated Parmesan on top if you like.