Description
Succulent Mediterranean chicken and orzo brings robust Mediterranean flavors to dinner tables. Zesty herbs, tender chicken, and perfectly cooked orzo create a delightful meal you’ll savor with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) chicken breasts, sliced thin and pounded
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 ½ cups whole wheat orzo, dry
- 1.5 cups grape tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup spinach, chopped
- ½ cup kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
- ½ cup feta cheese (optional)
- ¼ cup white wine
- ¼ cup pine nuts (optional)
- ½ tbsp garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- ½ tsp pepper
- ½ tsp oregano
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Cook orzo in boiling water until achieving an al dente consistency, then drain and set aside.
- Chicken Searing: Season chicken with salt and pepper, then sear in a hot skillet with olive oil until golden-brown and fully cooked, approximately 5-7 minutes per side.
- Sauce Development: Remove chicken from skillet, then introduce minced garlic, ripe tomatoes, and white wine, allowing the mixture to simmer and reduce into a rich, aromatic sauce.
- Ingredient Integration: Reintroduce orzo to the skillet, folding in kalamata olives, fresh spinach, selected herbs, and toasted pine nuts, ensuring even distribution and thorough heating.
- Plating and Garnish: Arrange the orzo mixture on serving plates, strategically place seared chicken on top, and generously crown with crumbled feta cheese for a Mediterranean-inspired finish.
Notes
- Master Chicken Doneness: Check internal temperature reaches 165°F to guarantee safe, perfectly cooked chicken without dryness.
- Pasta Perfection Technique: Drain orzo just before al dente, as it continues cooking when mixed with hot sauce, preventing mushy texture.
- Flavor Layering Strategy: Sear chicken in same skillet to capture caramelized bits, creating deeper, more complex sauce base.
- Mediterranean Ingredient Timing: Add spinach last moment to maintain vibrant color and prevent wilting, preserving fresh, crisp texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 75mg