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Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Orzo Recipe

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4.4 from 2 reviews

This creamy sun-dried tomato chicken orzo is a comforting one-pan meal featuring tender chicken breast tenderloins seared with Italian seasonings, combined with toasted orzo pasta cooked in a savory chicken stock, sun-dried tomatoes, and garlic. Finished with fresh spinach, heavy cream, dried basil, and parmesan cheese, it offers a rich and flavorful dinner that can be prepared in just 30 minutes.

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Chicken and Seasoning

  • 1 lb chicken breast tenderloins
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper

Orzo and Sauce

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 5 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes (chopped)
  • 1 cup orzo (uncooked)
  • 2 cups chicken stock
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 4 oz fresh spinach
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 1 tbsp dried basil
  • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
  • 2 tbsp grated parmesan

Instructions

  1. Season and Sear the Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken breast tenderloins with paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Place the chicken in the skillet and sear for 3 minutes on each side until nicely browned and cooked through.
  2. Remove Chicken and Prepare Orzo: Take the chicken out of the skillet and set it aside. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the same skillet, then add minced garlic, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and uncooked orzo. Stir and toast the orzo in the skillet for about 2 minutes until lightly golden and fragrant.
  3. Cook Orzo in Stock: Pour in the chicken stock and add ¼ teaspoon of salt. Bring the mixture to a boil.
  4. Simmer and Cook Covered: Lower the heat to a simmer and cover the skillet with a lid. Cook the orzo for 5-8 minutes until it becomes tender, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
  5. Add Spinach: Stir in the fresh spinach and cook for 2-3 minutes until the spinach wilts and integrates with the orzo.
  6. Add Cream and Seasonings: Pour in the heavy cream, add dried basil and red pepper flakes, and mix thoroughly to combine all the flavors.
  7. Return Chicken to Skillet: Place the seared chicken back into the skillet, cover, and let everything simmer together for 2-5 minutes until the chicken is heated through and fully cooked.
  8. Finish with Parmesan: Remove the skillet from the heat and sprinkle grated parmesan cheese on top before serving.

Notes

  • For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a dairy-free cream alternative.
  • Sun-dried tomatoes can be soaked in hot water for a few minutes if they are too dry.
  • Stir regularly during orzo cooking to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
  • Use fresh spinach for best flavor; baby spinach works well too.
  • Adjust red pepper flakes to taste for desired heat level.
  • Author: Olivia
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian

Find it online: https://iamstarved.com/creamy-sun-dried-tomato-chicken-orzo-recipe/