Description
One Pot Garlic Chicken & Spinach Orzo is a comforting meal that combines tender chicken with vibrant garlic and fresh spinach, all nestled in orzo pasta. This easy one-pot dish is perfect for a cozy dinner with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
- Orzo pasta
- Fresh spinach
- Fresh garlic
- Chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Lemon juice (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Start by chopping the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Mince the garlic and rinse the spinach if using fresh.
- Sauté the Chicken: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken pieces and season with salt and pepper. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes until the chicken is browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same pot, add a little more olive oil if needed, then toss in the minced garlic. Sauté for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant—be careful not to let it burn!
- Add Orzo and Broth: Stir in the orzo, followed by the chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is al dente and has absorbed most of the liquid.
- Incorporate Spinach: Add the spinach to the pot, stirring until it wilts down, about 2-3 minutes. Return the cooked chicken to the pot and stir to combine.
- Finish with Cheese: Once everything is heated through, remove the pot from the heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. If desired, add a splash of lemon juice for brightness.
- Serve: Dish out the One Pot Garlic Chicken & Spinach Orzo into bowls and enjoy while hot. Top with extra cheese and freshly cracked black pepper, if you like!
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
Keywords: Feel free to add other vegetables like cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, or mushrooms for added nutrition and flavor. You can replace chicken with shrimp or chickpeas for a vegetarian version. Fresh herbs like parsley or basil can elevate the dish.