Creamy Chicken Orzo with Cherry Tomatoes and Spinach Recipe
This Chicken Orzo recipe is a flavorful and hearty one-pan meal that combines tender chicken breasts with tender orzo pasta, fresh spinach, cherry tomatoes, and creamy basil pesto sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s an easy yet impressive dish perfect for weeknight dinners.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1.5 lb chicken breasts, skinless and boneless
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Orzo and Vegetables
- 1 cup orzo, uncooked
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 10 oz cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
- 2 cups chicken stock
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 5 oz fresh spinach
Sauce
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup basil pesto
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry and season both sides evenly with smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the flavors.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics and Veggies: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil, then sauté the minced garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the cherry tomatoes and cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing them to soften and release their juices.
- Cook the Orzo: Add the uncooked orzo to the skillet, stirring to coat it in the garlic and tomato mixture. Pour in the chicken stock and sprinkle with ¼ teaspoon salt. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for about 8-10 minutes or until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Add Spinach and Cream: Stir in the fresh spinach, allowing it to wilt. Then pour in the heavy cream and basil pesto, stirring until the sauce is creamy and the ingredients are well combined.
- Combine Chicken and Orzo: Slice the cooked chicken breasts and nestle them back into the skillet on top of the orzo mixture. Cover and let everything heat through for 2-3 minutes so the flavors meld.
- Serve: Garnish with additional fresh basil or grated Parmesan if desired, and serve hot for a comforting, balanced meal.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or coconut milk.
- You can add other veggies such as zucchini or mushrooms for extra flavor and nutrition.
- To save time, use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken instead of cooking chicken breasts from scratch.
- Make sure to keep the skillet covered while cooking orzo to ensure it cooks evenly.
