Description
Tuscan Chicken and Orzo Skillet offers a Mediterranean dream on one pan, blending Italian herbs, sun-dried tomatoes, and creamy spinach with tender chicken. Home cooks can savor this restaurant-quality meal in less than 30 minutes, bringing comfort and elegance to your weeknight dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1.5 pounds (680 grams) chicken thighs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- ½ onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ⅔ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 3 cups fresh spinach
- Fresh chopped parsley
- Squeeze of lemon juice
Liquid and Dairy Components:
- 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1.5 cups orzo
- 3 cups low sodium chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Thoroughly coat chicken thighs with a robust blend of salt, ground black pepper, and authentic Italian seasoning, ensuring even coverage across all surfaces.
- Warm of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, creating a sizzling cooking environment.
- Carefully place seasoned chicken thighs into the hot skillet, allowing each side to develop a rich golden-brown crust for approximately 3-4 minutes per side.
- Transfer browned chicken to a separate plate, preserving the flavorful drippings in the skillet.
- Drizzle remaining olive oil into the pan and introduce diced onions with a delicate pinch of salt, sautéing until they become translucent and softened.
- Incorporate minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes, stirring continuously for an additional minute to release their aromatic essence.
- Pour in uncooked orzo and chicken broth, bringing the mixture to a vigorous boil before reducing to a gentle simmer.
- Nestle the previously seared chicken thighs back into the skillet, cover, and allow the dish to cook until orzo reaches a tender consistency.
- Gently extract the chicken and fold in fresh spinach leaves, rich heavy cream, and grated parmesan cheese, creating a luxurious sauce.
- Return chicken to the pan, allowing it to meld with the creamy mixture.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, an extra sprinkle of parmesan cheese, and a bright squeeze of fresh lemon juice to elevate the flavor profile.
Notes
- Marinate chicken thighs briefly with Italian seasoning for deeper flavor absorption before cooking.
- Use high-quality sun-dried tomatoes and fresh parmesan for authentic Tuscan taste profile.
- One-pan method reduces cleanup and allows delicious flavor layering from each ingredient.
- Ensure orzo remains slightly al dente to prevent mushy texture and maintain perfect consistency.
- Fresh spinach adds vibrant color, nutrients, and creates creamy sauce when wilted into dish.
- Quick weeknight meal ready in under 30 minutes with minimal advanced preparation required.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 595 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 220 mg