Description
This Tuscan-Style Chicken Orzo is a hearty and flavorful one-pot meal combining tender diced chicken breast, sautéed vegetables, and orzo pasta in a creamy tomato sauce infused with Italian herbs. Finished with fresh spinach, Parmesan cheese, and basil, this dish delivers a comforting taste of Tuscany in just 40 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken & Protein
- 500g diced chicken breast
Vegetables & Herbs
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- Fresh spinach, to taste (approximately 2 cups)
- Fresh basil, for garnish
Pantry & Dairy
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 can (400g) diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
- 300g orzo pasta
- 200ml chicken broth
- 100ml heavy cream
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Sauté chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced chicken breast and cook until browned on all sides and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook vegetables: In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and diced bell pepper. Sauté until the vegetables soften and the onion becomes translucent, about 4-5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add sauce and orzo: Stir in the can of diced tomatoes and dried Italian herbs. Add the orzo pasta and pour in the chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook, uncovered, for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Stir in cream and spinach: Reduce the heat to low and add the heavy cream along with the fresh spinach. Stir gently and cook for 2-3 minutes until the spinach wilts and the cream is heated through.
- Combine and serve: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and mix everything together. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot topped with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a plant-based cream alternative.
- You can swap chicken breast for diced turkey or tofu for variation.
- To enhance flavor, add a splash of white wine when cooking the vegetables.
- Make sure not to overcook orzo; it should be tender but slightly firm to the bite.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
