Description
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo is a comforting and flavor-packed pasta dish that combines the creaminess of a Tuscan-style sauce with the heartiness of chicken and the delicate texture of orzo.
Ingredients
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or 4 small)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon butter
Instructions
1. Start by patting the chicken breasts dry and seasoning both sides generously with the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the seasoned chicken and sear for 5-6 minutes per side, or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
3. In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add the butter. Once the butter has melted, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, until fragrant and lightly golden.
4. Add the orzo and chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet and stir to coat them in the garlic-infused butter. Cook for 1-2 minutes, just until the orzo starts to lightly toast.
5. Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, then bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and the sauce has thickened.
6. Stir in the chopped spinach and Parmesan cheese. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, until the spinach has wilted and the cheese has melted. If you’d like a little extra heat, add the optional red pepper flakes at this stage.
7. Slice the cooked chicken and return it to the skillet, spooning the creamy Tuscan sauce over the top. Let the chicken warm through for 1-2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
8. Dish up the steaming Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo and enjoy this comforting, flavor-packed meal!
Notes
Feel free to swap out the sun-dried tomatoes for fresh cherry tomatoes or use a different type of pasta, such as penne or farfalle, if you prefer.
For a dairy-free version, you can replace the heavy cream with unsweetened almond milk or coconut cream.
Leftover Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply place the desired portion in a skillet or saucepan and heat over medium, stirring occasionally, until warmed through.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 800
- Fat: 25
- Saturated Fat: 15
- Unsaturated Fat: 10
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 35
- Cholesterol: 80