Quick and easy to prepare, deliciously hearty, Orzo pasta is the ultimate comfort food. This great recipe has mouth-watering flavors and you can easily prepare this easy orzo pasta in less than 30 minutes. My family loves this hearty dish!
Comfort Food. Put the ultimate comfort food on the menu for those nights when you crave something flavorsome. A perfect side dish with some pantry staples! This is one of my favorite orzo recipes. You can easily prepare it for some unexpected guests, and indeed they will be pleased with this. Most orzo salads are pasta salads, but this one is more of a main entrée.
Grab your apron, and spread the taste of your flavorful cooking with your loved ones and lets get cooking!
Why You'll Love This Chicken Orzo Pasta
- One Pot - You can make this entire dish in one pot. It's a super easy pasta recipe and clean up is a breeze.
- Complete Meal and Nutritious - This dish has vegetables, pasta and protein rolled into one tasty savory dish. Every added ingredient enhances the nutritional value of pasta. Firstly, the addition of chicken not only increases the taste but is an excellent source of protein. Secondly, spinach is enriched with Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Folic Acid, and calcium. Similarly, parsley and mushrooms both have considerable health benefits associated with them. It is a complete immunity booster pack, best for every age group.
- Versatile - you can add cherry tomatoes, omit spinach and mushrooms and just serve the chicken and pasta on its own for your most selective eaters.
Ingredients
- Chicken thighs – you will need 4 large chicken thighs, skinless. Chicken breasts will work, but tend to become quite dry.
- Salt– add salt to this dish as a flavor enhancer
- Pepper– add pepper also as a flavor enhancer
- Olive oil– this is for browning the chicken thighs and pan-frying other ingredients. You may use vegetable oil as a substitute.
- Onion – these are staples in my kitchen and are a flavor powerhouse. It's sweet and savory all into one and gives depth to any dish including this pasta dish.
- Mushroom – this ingredient is rich in vitamins including B, riboflavin and niacin. All great for nutrients for a healthy heart.
- Garlic - is also a flavor enhancer that is a staple for any recipe
- Chicken Stock – use chicken stock instead of water to lock in the wonderful flavors in your pasta.
- Orzo Pasta - the primary ingredient for this dish. It's a rice shaped pasta.
- Spinach- this green veggie is low in calories but high in Vitamin K, A, C and folate too.
- Half and half– to get the best creamy texture pasta. It's simply half cream and half milk if you're looking for a substitute.
- Parmesan cheese - this gritty hard cheese gives this dish a savory kick
How to Make It
- In a pan, add olive oil and brown chicken. Salt and pepper and set aside.
- In the same pan, brown onions and mushrooms
- Add in the orzo pasta and garlic until toasty, then add chicken stock .
- Boil for 6 minutes then add cream, spinach and cheese.
- Add chicken back into the pot and Enjoy.
Step by Step Instructions
First, wash your produce if needed and chop your onions and cut your mushrooms. In a large skillet add 2 teaspoons of oil and brown the chicken. You'll want to cook it for about 4 minutes on each side at medium high heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Set aside.
Next, you'll want to use the same pan to cook the½ cup of onions and 1 cup mushrooms. Use medium heat to brown the vegetables until brown and the aromas become fragrant.
Third, you'll want to stir in the orzo pasta and garlic. Stir the pasta until the orzo begins to toast. Then add in the chicken broth.
Now it's time to boil the pasta. Cook it for about 6 minutes and then pour in half and half. At the same time, add the spinach and shredded cheese, stirring occasionally.
Once the spinach becomes wilted, and the sauce reduces, place the browned chicken back in. Simmer it for a few minutes.
Serve warm in your favorite bowl and garnish it with parmesan cheese, some freshly ground black pepper, parsley, and lemon if desired. I hope you love this recipe as much as we do. Enjoy!
Cook's Tips
- Don't overcook your pasta. You don't want it to turn into a risotto.
- Make sure to wash every ingredient properly before starting.
- Allow cooking at low to medium heat to keep all essential nutrients lock-in.
- Serve freshly prepared for best taste.
- Add some red pepper if you want to kick up the heat.
- Use a meat thermometer to check doneness of your chicken. It helps prevent underdone and overcooked chicken tremendously.
FAQ
If you opt for durum wheat or gluten free orzo pasta (if you can find it), it may be higher in fiber than rice, but both are still caloric.
Orzo is a type of pasta. It's made with wheat flour and is usually not gluten-free. However, some gluten-free pasta brands are now available in the market. You can choose the best brand according to your needs and choice.
No, orzo is pasta, and rissotto is rice. Rissoto is cooked in a broth as well, but it's different.
Orzo is often substituted in many rice dishes or pilafs. It's also popular in soups. It's popular in Italy and Greece and really resembles rice.
This recipe is great on its own , but you're more than welcome to add a side salad or some garlic bread to this meal.
Looking for more easy dinner ideas?
Try these recipes:
Tried this chicken orzo pasta and love it? Please leave me a comment and rating below. Would also love to know if you want to see more orzo pasta recipes in the future! Feel free to also tag me, I love to see your creations and sharing them. For more inspiration follow us on Instagram Or like us on Facebook
Orzo Chicken Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 large chicken thighs skinless
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- ½ cup sliced onion
- 1 cup sliced mushroom
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 3 cups chicken stock
- 1 cup dry orzo pasta
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- ½ cup half & half
- ¼ cup shredded parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional garnish: parmesan cheese parsley, lemon
Instructions
- Start by browning the chicken in large skillet with the teaspoon of olive oil. About 4 minutes on each side while salt and peppering as necessary. Set chicken aside.
- In the same pan, over medium heat, cook the onions and mushrooms until browned.
- Now in the same pan stir in the orzo and garlic until the orzo begins to toast, then add chicken stock.
- Boil for 6 minutes, reduce the heat, then pour in the cream, spinach and shredded cheese.
- Once the spinach has wilted and sauce reduces, place chicken back in, simmering for a few minutes then garnish if desired. Enjoy!
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