Description
A delicious one pot meal featuring garlic chicken, spinach, and orzo pasta.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 3 cloves fresh garlic
- 4 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Start by chopping the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Mince the garlic and rinse the spinach if using fresh.
- Sauté the Chicken: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken pieces and season with salt and pepper. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes until the chicken is browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same pot, add a little more olive oil if needed, then toss in the minced garlic. Sauté for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant—be careful not to let it burn!
- Add Orzo and Broth: Stir in the orzo, followed by the chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is al dente and has absorbed most of the liquid.
- Incorporate Spinach: Add the spinach to the pot, stirring until it wilts down, about 2-3 minutes. Return the cooked chicken to the pot and stir to combine.
- Finish with Cheese: Once everything is heated through, remove the pot from the heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. If desired, add a splash of lemon juice for brightness.
- Serve: Dish out the One Pot Garlic Chicken & Spinach Orzo into bowls and enjoy while hot. Top with extra cheese and freshly cracked black pepper, if you like!
Notes
- This dish is best served hot, but it can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Feel free to customize by adding other vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: One pot
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg