Cheesy Chicken Orzo
Quick and tasty, this cheesy chicken orzo features tender seared chicken and orzo pasta tossed in a creamy, cheesy sauce, and it's all done in 30 minutes.
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 12 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch cubes
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ to ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon paprika or to taste
- salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 cup orzo
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup milk
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard optional
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach optional
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a dutch oven or a 5-quart pan/skillet set over medium-high heat.
- Add chicken pieces to the skillet, season with thyme, garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper, and cook over medium heat until done; about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove chicken from the pot and set aside.
- Add about 3-quarts of water to the pot; set it over high heat and bring to a boil.
- Stir in the orzo and cook for 8 to 9 minutes, or until orzo is tender.
- Drain.
- Put the orzo back in the pot and stir in the cheese, milk, butter, and mustard, if using. Continue to stir until smooth, creamy, and well combined. Add more milk if needed to reach desired creamy consistency.
- Taste for seasonings and adjust accordingly.
- Stir in the spinach; stir for a minute, or until wilted.
- Stir in the chicken.
- Serve.
Nutrition
Calories: 486kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 102mg | Sodium: 366mg | Potassium: 550mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 2001IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 265mg | Iron: 2mg
