Description
Succulent One Pot Chicken Orzo brings Mediterranean comfort straight to kitchen tables with minimal cleanup. Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a delightful meal you can savor without complicated cooking steps.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound chicken thighs or breasts, cubed
Pasta and Base Ingredients:
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
Herbs, Seasonings, and Additional Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 cup spinach (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Parmesan cheese for garnish
Instructions
- Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium heat (375°F), creating a golden cooking surface.
- Introduce seasoned chicken pieces, searing until exterior develops a rich, caramelized texture, then transfer to a holding plate.
- In the identical cooking vessel, gently sweat diced onions and minced garlic until aromatic and translucent, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Scatter orzo across the pan, lightly toasting kernels to enhance nutty undertones, stirring constantly for 1-2 minutes.
- Pour chicken broth and diced tomatoes into the skillet, incorporating dried oregano and fresh basil; elevate heat to trigger boiling.
- Reduce temperature to low simmer, reintroduce seared chicken, and allow mixture to gently bubble for 10-12 minutes until orzo reaches al dente consistency and chicken cooks completely.
- Fold fresh spinach into the hot mixture, permitting leaves to delicately wilt and integrate flavors; taste and calibrate seasoning with salt and pepper as desired.
- Transfer to serving dishes, crowning with freshly grated Parmesan cheese for a luxurious finish.
Notes
- Maximize chicken flavor by patting it dry before seasoning to ensure a perfect golden-brown crust.
- Choose quick-cooking orzo to reduce overall preparation time and maintain ideal pasta texture.
- Customize the dish for dietary needs by swapping chicken with tofu or using gluten-free orzo for a versatile meal.
- Control liquid consistency by adding broth gradually, allowing you to achieve the perfect creamy or slightly saucy texture desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 370 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg