High Protein Chicken Orzo (Printable Version)

Protein-packed one-pan dish with tender chicken, orzo, and vegetables in light herbed sauce ready in 40 minutes.

# What You Need:

→ Poultry

01 - 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 cup baby spinach, roughly chopped
06 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

→ Pasta & Grains

07 - 1 cup dry orzo pasta

→ Dairy

08 - 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

→ Liquids & Fats

09 - 2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
10 - 1 tbsp olive oil
11 - Juice of 1/2 lemon

→ Spices & Herbs

12 - 1 tsp dried oregano
13 - 1/2 tsp dried thyme
14 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
15 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
16 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

# How To Make It:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Add to the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes until lightly browned but not fully cooked through. Remove and set aside.
02 - In the same skillet, add diced onion and bell pepper. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add dry orzo to the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly to coat the grains in oil and release aromatics.
04 - Pour in chicken broth, oregano, and thyme. Stir well, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a gentle simmer.
05 - Return browned chicken pieces to the skillet. Cover and cook for 10 minutes over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
06 - Add cherry tomatoes and spinach. Continue cooking uncovered for 3-4 minutes until orzo is tender and most liquid has been absorbed.
07 - Stir in lemon juice and Parmesan cheese. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Remove from heat and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pan so you spend less time washing dishes and more time enjoying your evening
  • The orzo absorbs all those beautiful pan juices making every bite taste like it has been simmering for hours
02 -
  • The orzo will continue absorbing liquid even after you turn off the heat, so do not let it get too dry while cooking
  • Resist the urge to stir too frequently once the liquid is added, or you will break down the starches and end up with a gluey texture instead of creamy
03 -
  • Use a wide skillet rather than a deep pot so the orzo cooks evenly and the liquid reduces properly
  • Taste the orzo for doneness rather than relying solely on the timer, since different brands absorb liquid at different rates

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