Description
This vibrant, nutrient-dense Mediterranean Chicken Orzo is a perfect one-skillet meal for busy weeknights. Featuring lean chicken breasts, fiber-rich whole wheat orzo, juicy grape tomatoes, and briny Kalamata olives, it is a balanced dish that brings restaurant-quality flavors to your home kitchen. With a healthy dose of fresh spinach and aromatics like garlic and basil, this meal is as wholesome as it is satisfying, ensuring you get a complete protein and veggie-packed dinner in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
1 tbsp olive oil
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced
1/8 tsp salt
1/8 tsp black pepper
1.5 cups whole wheat orzo
1 tbsp olive oil (additional)
0.5 tbsp minced garlic
2 cups grape tomatoes, halved
0.25 cup chicken broth
0.5 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
0.25 cup pine nuts
1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
0.5 tsp dried oregano
0.25 tsp black pepper
0.25 tsp red pepper flakes
0.5 cup crumbled feta cheese
Instructions
Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the whole wheat orzo according to package directions until al dente.
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.
Season chicken pieces with salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper, then sear in the skillet until browned and cooked through.
Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the additional tablespoon of oil and sauté the garlic until fragrant.
Add the grape tomatoes, chicken broth, oregano, red pepper flakes, and remaining black pepper, simmering until tomatoes soften.
Stir in the cooked orzo, Kalamata olives, and spinach, cooking until the spinach wilts.
Return the chicken to the skillet, stir in the herbs, top with feta cheese and pine nuts, and serve immediately.
Notes
Ensure chicken is sliced into uniform pieces for even cooking. If whole wheat orzo is unavailable, regular semolina orzo is a suitable alternative. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 15
- Category: Chicken Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 75mg