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Easy Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Orzo Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 743 reviews

This Easy Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Orzo is a delightful one-pan meal that combines tender chicken breast tenderloins with flavorful sun-dried tomatoes, creamy sauce, and fresh spinach. The orzo pasta cooks perfectly in chicken stock, absorbing the rich flavors of Italian seasoning, garlic, and a hint of spice from red pepper flakes. Finished with Parmesan cheese, this comforting dish is quick to prepare and perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

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 & Vegetables

  • 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 (for orzo)
  • 4 oz fresh spinach

Creamy Sauce & Finishing

  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 1 tbsp dried basil
  • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
  • 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Heat and Sear Chicken: Place a large pan over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the chicken breast tenderloins to the pan.
  2. Season Chicken: Coat the chicken with paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper evenly on all sides for a well-rounded flavor.
  3. Cook Chicken: Sear the chicken tenderloins for about 3 minutes on each side until nicely browned and partly cooked. Ensure each piece is well-seasoned.
  4. Remove Chicken and Start Orzo: Take the chicken out of the pan and set aside. In the same pan, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil, minced garlic, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and uncooked orzo.
  5. Sauté Ingredients: Stir everything together and cook for approximately 2 minutes to blend the flavors and toast the orzo slightly.
  6. Add Stock and Season: Pour in the chicken stock and add ¼ teaspoon of salt. Stir, bring the mixture to a boil, and scrape any browned bits from the pan to enhance flavor.
  7. Simmer Orzo: Lower the heat and cover the pan with a lid. Let the orzo cook for about 5-8 minutes until tender, stirring occasionally with a spatula to prevent sticking.
  8. Add Spinach: Stir in the fresh spinach and cook until wilted, approximately 2-3 minutes, mixing well to incorporate the greens.
  9. Add Cream and Seasonings: Pour in the heavy cream, sprinkle dried basil and red pepper flakes over the mixture, and stir thoroughly to combine.
  10. Simmer with Chicken: Return the cooked chicken to the pan, cover, and let everything simmer together for 2-5 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and heated through.
  11. Finish and Serve: Remove the pan from heat and sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the top before serving for a rich, savory finish.

Notes

  • Use chicken breast tenderloins for quicker cooking and better flavor absorption; shrimp or tofu are good alternatives.
  • For a lighter cream base, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or evaporated milk, or use coconut/cashew cream for dairy-free versions.
  • If you don’t have sun-dried tomatoes, fresh tomatoes can be used though the flavor will be milder.
  • Scraping the bottom of the pan while boiling the stock prevents burnt bits from affecting taste and helps incorporate flavors.
  • Stir the orzo frequently during cooking to avoid sticking and ensure even cooking.
  • Red pepper flakes can be omitted for a milder dish.

Keywords: sun-dried tomato chicken orzo, creamy chicken orzo, easy chicken pasta, Italian chicken recipe, one-pan chicken dinner

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