High Protein Mediterranean Chicken Orzo
A creamy and flavorful dish combining tender chicken, orzo pasta, and vibrant Mediterranean vegetables, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 bell pepper chopped
- 1 cup baby spinach
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Feta cheese optional, for topping
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
Cooking the Chicken
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces and season with salt, pepper, and oregano. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
Sautéing the Vegetables
- In the same skillet, add the minced garlic. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, then add the bell peppers and cook for another 3-4 minutes. Toss in the cherry tomatoes and spinach, cooking until the spinach wilts.
Cooking the Orzo
- Pour the chicken broth into the skillet and bring to a boil. Add the orzo pasta and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for about 10-12 minutes or until the orzo is tender and has absorbed most of the broth, stirring occasionally.
Combining Everything
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir everything together. Adjust seasoning if necessary and heat through for an additional couple of minutes.
Serving
- Spoon the orzo mixture into bowls, topping with crumbled feta cheese and fresh parsley. Enjoy your delicious meal!
Notes
For ingredient substitutions, feel free to swap chicken for turkey or shrimp and replace spinach with kale or zucchini. Add a splash of lemon juice or red pepper flakes for extra flavor.