Description
This Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo is a delightful one-pan meal with tender chicken, orzo pasta, sweet cherry tomatoes, and a luscious creamy sauce inspired by Tuscan flavors. It’s a surprisingly easy and flavorful dish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 300g (10.5oz) Chicken Breast: Cut into bite-sized pieces
- 200g (7oz) Orzo Pasta
- 30ml (2Tbsp) Olive Oil
- 15ml (1Tbsp) Unsalted Butter
- 150g (5.3oz) Onion: Finely diced
- 3 cloves Garlic: Minced
- 250g (9oz) Cherry Tomatoes: Halved
- 150g (5.3oz) Spinach Leaves
- 250ml (1cup) Heavy Cream
- 120ml (½cup) Low-Sodium Chicken Broth
- 60g (2oz) Parmesan Cheese: Grated
- 5ml (1tsp) Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto (optional)
- 2.5ml (½tsp) Smoked Paprika
- Salt and Pepper: To taste
- 30ml (2Tbsp) Pine Nuts: Toasted
- 6 Basil Leaves: Fresh
- 15ml (1Tbsp) Herb-Infused Olive Oil
- 1g (½tsp) Lemon Zest
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Pat chicken dry, season with salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Sear Chicken: Sear chicken in olive oil and butter until golden brown and cooked through.
- Sauté Aromatics: Sauté onion until translucent, then add garlic and cook briefly.
- Toast Orzo: Toast orzo in the skillet for 1-2 minutes.
- Simmer Orzo: Add broth and simmer until orzo absorbs most liquid.
- Create Sauce: Stir in cream and pesto (if using), simmer until thickened.
- Combine & Finish: Fold in tomatoes, spinach, and chicken; cook until spinach wilts.
- Add Parmesan: Remove from heat, whisk in Parmesan, and season to taste.
Notes
For a lighter version, use half-and-half or a combination of milk and cream cheese. Feel free to add mushrooms, artichoke hearts, or red pepper flakes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg