Description
A delicious and creamy orzo pasta dish with butterfly chicken breasts and fresh spinach, perfect for a quick dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken breasts (butterflied)
- kosher salt
- 1 lemon (zested and halved)
- 1 shallot (peeled, minced)
- 2 garlic cloves (peeled, minced)
- Pinch crushed red pepper
- 16 ounces orzo pasta
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 3/4 cups chicken broth
- Ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/3 cup finely grated Parmesan-Reggiano
- Handful of spinach
- 2 tablespoons minced Italian parsley
- Lemon slices (for garnish)
Instructions
- Butterfly the chicken. Slicing the chicken like this will help cook it faster and more evenly. Sprinkle the chicken with salt on both sides.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add a few tablespoons of olive oil. Add the butterflied chicken breasts, and cook on each side for about 3-4 minutes until golden. Add two lemon halves cut side down. Remove the chicken and lemons from the pan and set aside.
- Turn the heat down to low. If needed, add more olive oil. Add the shallot, garlic, and crushed red pepper. Cook on low until softened, about 3 minutes.
- Pour in the orzo, chicken stock, and heavy cream. Mix well and bring to a gentle simmer. Cover the pan and cook for about 7 minutes, until the orzo is al dente.
- Slice the chicken into 1/2-inch pieces.
- Uncover the pan and add the lemon zest, Parmesan-Reggiano, spinach, minced Italian parsley, and squeeze in the lemon halves. Mix it up and top with the chicken. Place back on the stove for about 2-3 minutes to warm the chicken.
- Uncover the pan, top with sliced lemons, and serve.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can marinate the chicken in lemon juice and herbs before cooking.
- Substitute orzo with other pasta if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 100mg