Description
One Pan Chicken & Pesto Orzo is the ultimate weeknight meal, bringing together juicy chicken, creamy orzo pasta, and vibrant pesto sauce—all cooked in a single skillet. Ready in under 30 minutes, this dish not only simplifies dinner prep but also delights with its rich flavors. The addition of cherry tomatoes and aromatic garlic elevates the taste, making it a favorite for family dinners or gatherings with friends. Plus, it’s customizable—swap in your favorite vegetables or proteins to suit any palate. Enjoy a hassle-free cooking experience and savor leftovers that are just as delicious the next day!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- ½ cup basil pesto
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
- ½ medium red onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- Olive oil
- Lemon juice
- Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil (optional)
- Salt
- Black pepper
Instructions
- Prep all ingredients: cut chicken into pieces, halve tomatoes, slice onion, mince garlic.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; sauté onion for 3-4 minutes.
- Add garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add chicken pieces; season with salt and pepper; brown for about 5-7 minutes.
- Pour in chicken broth; bring to a boil before adding orzo and tomatoes. Reduce heat to low and cover; simmer for 15-20 minutes until orzo is tender.
- Stir in pesto and lemon juice until well combined; then add grated parmesan.
- Serve hot garnished with fresh basil if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: One-pan cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approximately 250g)
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 75mg