Merken Tuscan Chicken Orzo is a luscious, one-pan Italian-inspired dish that brings gourmet comfort to your dinner table. Featuring tender chicken pieces, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh spinach nestled in a creamy, flavorful sauce, this meal is a beautiful blend of hearty textures and vibrant Mediterranean notes.
Merken The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity. By cooking the orzo directly in the pan with chicken broth and heavy cream, every grain of pasta is infused with the aromatic garlic and herbs, resulting in a dish that feels like a warm hug in a bowl.
Ingredients
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried Italian herbs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and sliced
- 2 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh basil leaves and extra Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Step 1
- Season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs.
- Step 2
- Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sauté until golden and cooked through, about 5–7 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Step 3
- In the same skillet, add the onion and sauté for 2 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4
- Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another minute.
- Step 5
- Add the orzo and stir well to coat with oil and aromatics.
- Step 6
- Pour in the chicken broth and stir, scraping up any browned bits from the pan. Reduce heat to medium-low.
- Step 7
- Add heavy cream and return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 8–10 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and the sauce has thickened.
- Step 8
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese and spinach. Cook for 2–3 minutes, until the spinach wilts and cheese is melted. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of broth or water.
- Step 9
- Taste and adjust seasoning. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes if desired.
- Step 10
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil and extra Parmesan.
Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung
For the best results, use a large, deep skillet to ensure the orzo has enough room to expand. Don't forget to scrape up the browned bits (fond) from the bottom of the pan after adding the broth; that's where the concentrated chicken and herb flavor lives. If you have a cheese grater, use fresh Parmesan for a smoother melt.
Varianten und Anpassungen
You can substitute half-and-half for a slightly lighter sauce, or use a store-bought rotisserie chicken to cut down on prep time. For a gluten-free version, simply replace the orzo with a high-quality gluten-free pasta alternative. You can also adjust the heat by adding more or less crushed red pepper flakes.
Serviervorschläge
Serve this dish hot in shallow bowls, garnished generously with fresh basil leaves and extra Parmesan. It pairs exceptionally well with a crisp Pinot Grigio or a lightly oaked Chardonnay to cut through the richness of the cream sauce.
Merken This Tuscan Chicken Orzo is a testament to how simple ingredients like spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and cream can create a truly luxurious meal. Perfect for family dinners or a casual date night, it is a versatile dish that is sure to remain a favorite in your recipe rotation.
