Alma Bax 
Skillet meals are always popular when trying to come up with something quick and easy to make. Luckily, there are a lot of recipes that work great with a skillet. This cheesy chicken orzo skillet is a nice one because of how easy it is to make. You really don’t need to worry about the prep as there is very little cooking involved which is great for beginners. You’ll just have to watch for a very short time in the oven so it doesn’t burn.
Last week’s dinner was a complete disaster. I was trying something new, which was delicious. It was Greek food, which I love, but I was served something new. I don’t think I was supposed to eat the new something because it was not on the menu. As usual, my husband and son ate some of it, but will still get it out of the freezer to make pasta. I was so upset, but I will not complain about it to anyone. I need to be more understanding, like a good wife or mother should be. I just have to remember to not order anything that is not on the menu next time.
This is a really quick and easy meal that I enjoyed one night when I was working on a major project for my thesis project at school. The chicken was very tender, and the orzo was quite tasty.
In a garlic-infused pasta sauce, this substantial and delicious Cheesy Chicken Orzo Skillet is packed with zesty chicken breast, soft spinach, and orzo. This dinner is prepared in JUST ONE DISH and takes less than 30 minutes to prepare. It is infused with mozzarella and parmesan cheeses. This is ideal for any weeknight meal!
I am a huge fan of one-pan dinners! They’re kind of like my thing… my fave thing. I looked at some of my most popular recipes and decided to combine some of their greatest features: pasta, chicken, flavors, cheese, and ease of preparation. This dinner comes together in minutes and is filled with fresh spinach and protein-rich chicken.
What exactly is orzo?
Many individuals are confused how to classify orzo. Is it rice, or something else? Is it a pasta dish? Orzo is just rice-shaped pasta, to put it in the simplest terms. It’s usually prepared with white flour, although some companies offer healthier alternatives. In most pasta and rice dishes, it may be used interchangeably.
Is orzo a healthier alternative to rice?
The answer is no if you’re comparing white flour orzo to white rice. Orzo contains 50 percent more calories than white rice in a cup. When comparing whole grain wheat orzo to white rice, you must take into account more than simply the calories. At that time, the orzo would be more redeemable. Orzo is still pasta, which means it’s rich in carbs! Decide what is most essential in your diet, then choose the best choice for you.
The following are the ingredients for our Cheesy Chicken Orzo Skillet:
- Seasonings from Italy
- Breast of chicken
- Spinach
- Parmigiano-Reggiano
- Garlic
- Orzo
- Sauce marinara
- Cheese Mozzarella
- Onion
To prepare our Cheesy Chicken Orzo Skillet, follow these steps:
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, heated in a large skillet over medium heat, coats the bottom of the pan. Place the bite-sized chicken in a single layer in the skillet. Sprinkle half of the Italian spice over the chicken, slowly and evenly. Cook for 4 minutes before flipping. Season the chicken with the remaining seasoning. Cook for a further 4 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and put it aside.
After that, add the onion and garlic to the skillet and cook for 3 minutes, or until the onion and garlic are somewhat soft. In a large mixing bowl, combine the spaghetti sauce and water. Scrape the bottom of the skillet to combine all of the flavors. Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until largely wilted, 2 heaping cups raw spinach in a pan.
Bring the mixture to a low boil, then add the chicken and dried orzo, stirring constantly. Cook, covered, for 15 minutes, or until the orzo is al dente. 1 cup of each cheese should be mixed in.
Serve with fresh parsley as a garnish. If desired, you may always top with additional cheese. This dish serves 8-10 people, so it’s great for leftovers!
Are you a big fan of one-pan meals? You are, if you are anything like me! You will not be disappointed if you try the recipes listed below.
Greek Chicken and Vegetables in One Pan
Chicken Zoodles in One Pan
Creamy Chicken Pasta in One Pot
Skillet with Mexican Beef and Rice
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Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup diced onion
- 1.5 pound chicken breasts, peeled and cut into bite-size pieces
- Italian Seasoning, 2 tblsp.
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 2 cups spinach, uncooked
- marinara sauce (24 ounces)
- 20 ounces of water
- 12 ounces orzo
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Coat the bottom of a pan with olive oil and heat it over medium heat. Place the chicken pieces in a single layer on the baking sheet.
- Half of the Italian seasoning is sprinkled on top. 4 minutes in the oven Turn over and season with the remaining Italian seasoning. Cook for a further 4 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and put it aside.
- In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and garlic. Cook for a total of 3-4 minutes. In a pan, combine the marinara sauce and water. Bring the water to a gentle boil.
- Allow the raw spinach to wilt for 3 minutes before serving.
- In a pan, combine the chicken and orzo. Allow to soft boil for approximately 15 minutes, covered.
- When the orzo is al dente, add both cheeses and toss to combine. Remove skillet from heat and set aside.
- Garnish with fresh parsley before serving. Enjoy!
Information about nutrition:
Yield:
8
Size of Serving:
1 tbsp. per serving 412 calories 13 g total fat 5g Saturated Fat 0g trans fat 6 g of unsaturated fat 96 milligrams of cholesterol 821mg sodium 32g carbohydrate 3 g of fiber 7 g sugar 38 g protein
(Nutritional information is an estimate that may vary depending on cooking techniques and ingredient brands utilized.)
Have you tried this recipe yet?
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When the weather warms up, I like to try out new recipes that celebrate the season. I love Italian classics like pizza, pasta, and chicken, but I also love learning about new ways to add flavor and nutrients to these foods. I came up with this one a few weeks ago when I came home and was craving some creamy cheesy chicken. After looking for a good recipe for the chicken, I found a great recipe for orzo and beans. I sauteed some frozen spinach to balance the creaminess of the cheese, then sauteed the chicken just before serving. I finished it off with a little parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning. It was a hit and I’m looking forward to making it again.. Read more about greek chicken orzo casserole and let us know what you think.
Related Tags
This article broadly covered the following related topics:
- chicken and orzo bake
- orzo recipes with chicken
- chicken orzo casserole
- chicken orzo recipe
- chicken and orzo
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