Description
A creamy and delicious one-pot dish featuring chicken, spinach, and orzo pasta, perfect for a comforting meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- In a large pot or deep skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3–4 minutes, until softened and translucent.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute, until fragrant, stirring often so it doesn’t burn.
- Add the chicken pieces to the pot and season with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned on all sides and mostly cooked through.
- Stir in the orzo pasta, coating it in the pan juices, then pour in the chicken broth. Scrape the bottom of the pot to release any browned bits.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let it simmer for 10–12 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the orzo is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
- Once the orzo is cooked, stir in the chopped spinach, heavy cream, and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Cook for an additional 2–3 minutes, stirring, until the spinach is wilted, the cheese is melted, and the orzo is creamy. If it seems too thick, add a splash of extra broth or cream.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper, if needed.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh chopped parsley.
Notes
- You can substitute the chicken with shrimp or tofu for a variation.
- For a lighter dish, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 90mg