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Creamy One-Pot Pesto Chicken Orzo

creamy one-pot pesto chicken orzo - featured image
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A quick and easy one-pot meal combining tender chicken, orzo pasta, and vibrant basil pesto in a creamy sauce, perfect for weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup orzo pasta (about 200g)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth (600ml)
  • 1/2 cup basil pesto (120g), store-bought or homemade
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream or half-and-half (60ml), optional
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup fresh spinach or baby kale, roughly chopped (optional)
  • A handful of cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces, mince garlic, halve cherry tomatoes (if using), and roughly chop spinach or kale. Measure out orzo, broth, pesto, and cream.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and sauté for 5-6 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken to a plate and keep pan hot.
  3. Add minced garlic to the same pan and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Pour in orzo and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally until orzo is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
  5. Return cooked chicken to the pan. Stir in basil pesto and heavy cream (if using). Cook uncovered for 2-3 minutes to thicken the sauce slightly.
  6. Add spinach or kale and cherry tomatoes, stirring until greens wilt and tomatoes soften. Remove from heat and stir in grated Parmesan cheese. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Serve warm, optionally garnished with extra Parmesan cheese.

Notes

If the orzo looks too thick before the final step, add a splash of broth or water to loosen it. Stir gently but thoroughly after adding pesto to ensure even flavor. Use medium heat to prevent burning and sticking. Avoid overcooking chicken to keep it tender. For dairy-free version, substitute heavy cream with coconut milk and Parmesan with vegan alternatives.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pot meal, pesto chicken, orzo, easy dinner, creamy pasta, weeknight recipe, basil pesto, chicken dinner

Find it online: https://tessierecipes.com/creamy-one-pot-pesto-chicken-orzo-recipe-for-easy-weeknight-dinners/