Description
Mediterranean One Pot Chicken Orzo delivers a comforting meal packed with herb-infused flavors. Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly for a quick and satisfying dinner you’ll savor from first bite to last.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
Grains and Pasta:
- 1.5 cups (360 milliliters) orzo pasta
Base Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 can (14.5 ounces/411 grams) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 4 cups (946 milliliters) chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 0.5 teaspoon dried thyme
- 0.5 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Finishing Ingredients:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) baby spinach, roughly chopped
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Warm a spacious cooking vessel over medium-high heat, drizzling olive oil across the surface.
- Generously coat chicken pieces with seasoning, then sear until golden and crisp on all surfaces, approximately 5-6 minutes. Transfer protein to a temporary holding plate.
- Within the same pot, introduce diced onion and bell pepper, allowing them to soften and become translucent for 3-4 minutes.
- Introduce minced garlic, stirring continuously for roughly 60 seconds to release aromatic flavors.
- Combine orzo, tomatoes, chicken broth, and herb blend (oregano, thyme, paprika), elevating temperature until liquid reaches a vigorous bubble, then reduce to a gentle simmer.
- Reintegrate seared chicken into the pot, allowing ingredients to meld together for 10-12 minutes while occasionally stirring, ensuring orzo becomes perfectly tender and liquid reduces.
- Incorporate fresh spinach leaves, gently folding until they collapse and integrate seamlessly into the mixture, approximately 2 minutes.
- Brighten the dish with a robust squeeze of lemon juice, then taste and recalibrate seasonings as necessary.
- Finish by scattering freshly chopped parsley across the surface, serving immediately while piping hot.
Notes
- Customize chicken cuts for faster cooking by using thin-sliced or pre-cut chicken breasts instead of whole pieces.
- Swap orzo with quinoa or brown rice for gluten-free or low-carb alternatives that maintain similar texture and cooking method.
- Consider adding protein variety by substituting chicken with shrimp, tofu, or plant-based chicken alternatives for diverse dietary preferences.
- Control liquid absorption by adding chicken broth gradually and stirring frequently to prevent orzo from becoming too dry or sticky during cooking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg