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Creamy One-Pan Tuscan Chicken Orzo

A close-up serving of creamy Tuscan chicken orzo pasta mixed with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach in a white bowl.
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Make this flavorful, creamy Tuscan chicken orzo skillet for a satisfying weeknight dinner. This one-pot meal combines tender chicken, orzo pasta, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes in a rich Parmesan sauce.

Ingredients

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  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
  • 1 1/2 cups dry orzo pasta
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 2 cups fresh spinach
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  2. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Stir in the dry orzo pasta and Italian seasoning. Toast the orzo for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
  4. Pour in the chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 10-12 minutes, or until the orzo is mostly tender and has absorbed most of the liquid. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  5. Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet.
  6. Add the fresh spinach and stir until it wilts into the sauce, about 2 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  7. Serve immediately, topped with extra grated Parmesan cheese.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes instead of dry-packed.
  • If the sauce becomes too thick while simmering, add a splash more chicken broth or water.
  • You can substitute chicken thighs for chicken breasts if you prefer darker meat.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://juliameal.com/tuscan-chicken-orzo-recipe/