Tuscan Chicken Orzo (Printable format)

A creamy one-pan Italian favorite with tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and orzo pasta in a rich, flavorful sauce.

# List of ingredients:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 1 teaspoon salt
03 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
04 - 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
05 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

06 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
08 - 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and sliced
09 - 2 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped

→ Orzo & Sauce

10 - 1 cup orzo pasta
11 - 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
12 - 1 cup heavy cream
13 - 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
14 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional

→ Garnish

15 - Fresh basil leaves, for serving
16 - Extra Parmesan cheese, for serving

# How to make it:

01 - Season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and dried Italian herbs, ensuring even coating.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and sauté until golden and cooked through, approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer cooked chicken to a plate and set aside.
03 - In the same skillet, add diced onion and sauté for 2 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Stir in sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 1 minute to release their flavors.
05 - Add orzo pasta and stir well to coat thoroughly with oil and aromatics.
06 - Pour chicken broth into the skillet and stir, scraping up any browned bits from the pan bottom. Reduce heat to medium-low.
07 - Add heavy cream and return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 8 to 10 minutes until orzo is tender and sauce has thickened.
08 - Stir in Parmesan cheese and chopped spinach. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until spinach wilts and cheese melts completely. If sauce is too thick, add a splash of broth or water.
09 - Taste the dish and adjust seasoning as needed. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes if desired.
10 - Transfer to serving bowls and garnish with fresh basil leaves and extra Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The entire dish comes together in one pan, meaning maximum flavor with minimum cleanup
  • That moment when the spinach wilts into the creamy sauce and everything turns into this gorgeous, restaurant-quality dinner
02 -
  • The sauce will continue thickening as it rests off the heat, so dont worry if it looks slightly loose when you turn off the stove
  • If your orzo absorbs all the liquid before it's fully cooked, add more broth in small increments rather than water
03 -
  • Pat the chicken pieces dry before seasoning them, this helps them develop a better sear and prevents steaming
  • Room temperature cream incorporates more smoothly, so take it out of the fridge while you prep the other ingredients
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