One Pot Chicken and Orzo with Spinach and Tomatoes – Loaded with flavors and texture, this is a super delicious and very easy one pot meal that everyone will love!
P.S. Even the orzo gets cooked right in the pot!
HEY YA! Happy Sunday! Happy May 15th of 2016! How the heck are ya?
But, now that I said that… it’s mid May?!? REALLY?! Oh my gosh, that means half the year is almost done?! Daaayum! …that was fast.
Yet, in my head, it’s still 2003, mayyyybe 2005. And I’m still jammin’ to “YEAH!” by Usher as if it just came out! Especially when my outfit’s ridiculAWZ, and I’m in the club lookin’ so conspicuAWZ! Yeah, Yeah, Yeah…
alright. I’ll stop. ✌
Wanna talk chicken? AGAIN?
Coo’. Cause that’s all I got for you today.
So, yeah, lookee here! This pot of glory is the one pot wonder known as Chicken and Orzo with Spinach and Tomatoes! IN one pot! Theeee end. Thanks for coming! Buh Bye!
KIDDING!
In addition to being awesome, delicious and cooked with my favorite of all the flavors, spinach and tomatoes, this one pot chicken deal is making me look all fan-say and it can do the same for you! But you will soon realize that it’s so simple to make and not that fancy at all, but you’ll wanna call me and thank me for it. I kid, I kid!
Let’s focus on the task at hand which is preparing this nyummy food with a glass of Chardonnay next to you. Beer fan? That’s fine, too.
Working off my Mom’s One Pot Oven-Baked Risotto with Lamb Chops Recipe, this pasta chicken fiesta starts with browning a few drumsticks, adding some flavorings, stirring in the orzo pasta, spinach and tomatoes… and bam, we’re almost done! Put a lid on it, let it cook, and some 15 minutes later, there you have it! Din-Din is served!!
Have a terrific Sunday!
ENJOY!
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TOOLS AND INGREDIENTS USED IN THIS RECIPE
One Pot Chicken and Orzo with Spinach and Tomatoes
Ingredients
- 8 chicken drumsticks
- salt and fresh ground pepper , to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 yellow onion , diced
- 4 garlic cloves , minced
- 2 cups orzo pasta
- 2-1/2 cups organic low sodium chicken broth (I use Pacific Natural Foods)
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes , halved
- 1 bag (6 to 8 ounces) baby spinach
- salt and fresh ground pepper , to taste
- 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese , optional
Instructions
- Season chicken and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet.
- Add chicken and brown on all sides, about 2 to 3 minutes per side.
- Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Melt butter in skillet; add diced onion and cook over medium-high heat for 2 minutes; stir in garlic and continue to cook for about 30 seconds, or until fragrant.
- Stir in orzo pasta; cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Add chicken broth and stir to combine.
- Arrange prepared chicken over the orzo.
- Add tomatoes and spinach on top; season with salt and pepper, and bring mixture to a boil.
- Lower the heat to a simmer; cover and cook until the orzo has completely absorbed the liquid and the chicken is cooked through, about 12 to 15 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let stand for several minutes.
- Taste for seasonings and adjust accordingly.
- Serve.
Notes
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
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I made this tonight and it was really good. I used boneless skinless thighs instead of legs. I didn’t have to deal with bones. I served with garlic bread. We have leftovers for tomorrow YAY!!! Thank you for sharing.
I’m very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
How much is in 1 serving like 1 cup or 1/2 cup?
This meal was awesome!! I did diced chicken breasts because it is easier to eat at work the next day. I took a short cut and used minced garlic from the jar, and it tasted sort of weird (regrets) so I added a splash of balsamic vinegar right after the garlic and it turned about delicious!! This is a new go to for company! Thanks!
This dish was delicious! My fiancé and I thoroughly enjoyed it – and are excited to add it to our weekly recipes. Simple ingredients, easy to make, and really yummy 🙂 we love your recipes, thank you for posting!
Thank you for posting such wonderful recipes. I thought having made this dish at least 10 times, I should send a note to say my entire family thanks you. Such an easy dish – for weeknights after work, or for guests at a dinner party – this recipe is so versatile. I tend to use boneless skinless chicken thighs and they work really well. And great for leftovers (the little that may be remaining after it is first cooked).
I just finished making Chicken Orzo with Tomatoes and Spinach for company tomorrow night. Thanks for listing the nutrition information. Just a question though. How much is a serving size?
This was awesome!!!!! I used chunked chicken breast and added a carton of feta. It’s going in my weekly rotation! Thank you!!!
Can you use rice if your gluten free?
Hi! Yep, you can definitely use rice – here’s a dish similar to it made with rice: https://diethood.com/one-pot-chicken-rice-artichokes/
Hope that helps! 🙂
Thanks! I love this dish. I added red pepper flakes to kick it up a notch and it added the perfect zing.
Can I used rice instead of the orzo?
How would I make this in slow cooker?
Hi! Because I have never tried cooking Orzo in a slow cooker, I can honestly say that I have no idea how you would make this using that method. I hope someone will chime in because I also would love to know! 🙂
What is the serving size for this dish and number of servings? I can only find where it says 1 and I’m sure that is not correct. Thanks!
Hi Melissa!
I just fixed it – that should say “Serves 6”. Thank you for letting me know about the mistake! 🙂
Can this be made with breastfeeding meat instead of drumsticks?
Hi Nicole! What is breastfeeding meat?
M LOL I am so sorry that was supposed to say chicken breast instead of drumsticks. My autocorrect struck again lol
LOOOL!! Oh my gosh… I was like, hmmmm, should I assume chicken breast or should I just ask? LOL! Thank you for the laugh!! 😀 Yes, you can definitely use breasts or even thighs. 🙂 I hope you’ll enjoy it!
This dish was soooo great! So easy. LOVE a one pot wonder.
Thank you for a wonderful new favorite. Bonnie
YAY!! So happy you enjoyed it! Thank YOU!!
Lovely! And so simple as well!
http://www.eatwearwander.com
You always make such delicious skillet meals – love the flavors in this!
Ever since I tried your orzo and asparagus dish, I have been cooking with orzo a lot more! This one looks fabulous too…will have to add it to the dinner rotation!
We can talk chicken every day, if it looks like this!! I love a good one pot meal, and this looks like pure comfort food!
There is nothing better than a one pot fancy meal!
This looks seriously yum! Also, I love how many emoji’s are in this post!! 🙂
Girl, this is one seriously amazing dish! Heck, my vegetarian heart is having a hard time saying no to this, lol. But at least my husband and daughter can enjoy it!
My husband sometimes complains about chicken because apparently I don’t do enough interesting things with it. I love this idea and I think he’d love it too!
You must have read my mind! I bought orzo for the first time ever this weekend so now I know what I’ll be making with it 🙂 Thanks!!