Description
A hearty one-pan dish loaded with juicy chicken, tender orzo pasta, sweet burst tomatoes, spinach, and melty Parmesan—all seasoned with warm spices and fresh basil. Ready in just 30 minutes!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, divided
- 2 teaspoons paprika, divided
- 1 ¼ teaspoons kosher salt, divided
- 1 shallot, diced
- 6 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 tablespoons)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 8 ounces orzo pasta (about 1 1/4 cups)
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
- 3 to 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 3 ounces baby spinach, coarsely chopped (about 3 cups)
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for serving)
- 1/4 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced and divided
Instructions
- Heat a deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil.
- Sauté chicken with 1 teaspoon each of Italian seasoning and paprika, plus 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook until golden and cooked through, 4–6 minutes. Remove to a plate.
- Lower heat to medium. Add remaining oil and diced shallot. Cook 3 minutes until softened. Add garlic, black pepper, and remaining seasonings. Stir for 30 seconds.
- Add orzo and cherry tomatoes. Stir constantly for 1 minute to toast slightly.
- Pour in 3 to 4 cups chicken broth. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to medium. Cover and simmer 12–14 minutes, stirring frequently and scraping the bottom. Add more broth if needed.
- Stir in Parmesan, spinach, red pepper flakes, half the basil, and cooked chicken. Stir until spinach wilts, about 1 minute.
- Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot, garnished with extra basil and Parmesan.
Notes
- Use chicken thighs for extra juiciness and flavor.
- Add a squeeze of lemon juice before serving for brightness.
- Great for meal prep—leftovers reheat well the next day.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 455
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
