Creamy Tuscan Chicken and Orzo Skillet
This Creamy Tuscan Chicken and Orzo Skillet is a comforting and easy one-pan dish combining tender chicken, creamy sauce, and orzo.
Equipment
- Large Skillet For cooking the chicken and orzo.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 0.25 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 0.5 cup onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 0.67 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1.5 cups orzo
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 3 cups fresh spinach
- 0.5 cup heavy cream
- 0.25 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley for serving
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice for serving
Instructions
- Season the chicken thighs with kosher salt, ground black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken thighs to the skillet, cooking for 3-4 minutes on each side until browned. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the chopped onion and a pinch of salt, cooking for a couple of minutes until softened.
- Stir in the minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes, cooking for another minute.
- Add the orzo to the skillet and stir well to combine everything.
- Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer.
- Return the chicken thighs to the skillet, cover, and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the orzo is cooked and has absorbed most of the liquid.
- Remove the chicken thighs from the skillet again. Stir in the fresh spinach, heavy cream, and grated parmesan cheese until well combined.
- Return the chicken thighs to the skillet, allowing them to warm through for a couple of minutes.
- Serve with a sprinkle of chopped parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice for added flavor.
Notes
For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream. You can also add other vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini for extra nutrition. No alcoholic drinks allowed, please substitute with a non-alcoholic option.