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Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 80 reviews

Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo is a luscious one-pan dish featuring tender seared chicken breasts nestled in a rich, creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, fresh spinach, and Parmesan cheese, all served over perfectly cooked orzo pasta. This Mediterranean-inspired recipe is a comforting yet elegant meal perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken:

  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or 4 small)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

For the Orzo and Sauce:

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup orzo pasta
  • ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon butter

Instructions

  1. Season Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides evenly with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning to build the base flavor for the chicken.
  2. Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken breasts and sear each side for 5-6 minutes until golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). Remove from skillet and set aside to rest.
  3. Sauté Garlic: Reduce heat to medium and add butter to the same skillet. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
  4. Toast Orzo: Stir in the orzo pasta into the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes until it starts turning lightly golden, which enhances its nutty flavor.
  5. Add Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Broth: Mix in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and pour in the chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
  6. Cook Orzo: Cover the skillet and let the orzo cook for approximately 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
  7. Add Cream and Parmesan: Pour in the heavy cream and sprinkle in the grated Parmesan cheese. Stir continuously until the sauce becomes creamy and the cheese has melted completely.
  8. Stir in Spinach: Fold in the chopped fresh spinach and stir until wilted, which usually takes just a minute or two.
  9. Return Chicken to Pan: Nestle the cooked chicken breasts back into the skillet. Spoon the creamy sauce over the chicken, cover, and simmer for an additional 2 minutes to combine all flavors.
  10. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle extra grated Parmesan cheese over the top if desired, and serve the creamy Tuscan chicken with orzo warm for a satisfying meal.

Notes

  • Use chicken breasts of even thickness for consistent cooking.
  • Sun-dried tomatoes add deep umami flavor; pack them chopped finely for better distribution.
  • Optional red pepper flakes add a mild kick—adjust according to your spice preference.
  • Stir the orzo occasionally while cooking to prevent sticking to the pan.
  • For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, but expect a less rich sauce.
  • Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat gently to prevent sauce separation.

Keywords: Tuscan chicken, creamy chicken recipe, orzo pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, skillet dinner, one-pan meal, Italian seasoning, Parmesan sauce

Find it online: https://jedentaglecker.com/creamy-tuscan-chicken-orzo-recipe/