Description
A rich and comforting Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Orzo dish featuring tender chicken breast, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh spinach, and a luscious creamy sauce, all cooked in a single skillet for easy meal preparation. Perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner with Italian-inspired flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 lb chicken breast tenderloins
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Sauce & Orzo
- 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 cheese
Instructions
- Heat the oil: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Season the chicken: Season the chicken breast tenderloins evenly with paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper to ensure flavorful meat.
- Sear the chicken: Place the seasoned chicken in the skillet and sear for 3 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through, then remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics and orzo: Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the same skillet. Stir in minced garlic, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and uncooked orzo, toasting the orzo for 2 minutes while stirring to develop flavor.
- Add chicken stock and cook orzo: Pour in 2 cups of chicken stock and ¼ teaspoon of salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Let the orzo cook for 5 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Wilt the spinach: Stir in fresh spinach and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes until the spinach is wilted and incorporated.
- Add cream and seasonings: Mix in heavy cream, dried basil, and red pepper flakes, stirring well to create a creamy sauce.
- Combine chicken and simmer: Return the seared chicken to the skillet with the orzo mixture and simmer for 2 to 5 minutes until the chicken is heated through and the flavors meld together.
- Serve and garnish: Remove from heat, sprinkle grated parmesan cheese on top, and serve immediately while warm for a delicious, creamy meal.
Notes
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or coconut cream for a lighter or dairy-free option.
- Using homemade or low-sodium chicken stock can reduce the overall sodium content for a healthier dish.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a splash of white wine before adding the chicken stock.
- Fresh basil can be used instead of dried basil; add it at the end of cooking for best aroma.
- If sun-dried tomatoes are packed in oil, drain them well to avoid excess oiliness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing, Sautéing, Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Orzo, Italian chicken recipe, creamy chicken orzo, sun-dried tomato pasta, one-pan dinner
