Description
A delightful fusion of flavors with tender chicken, hearty orzo pasta, and vibrant vegetables, topped with feta cheese and Kalamata olives.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups orzo pasta
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup baby spinach, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 cups chicken broth
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add the orzo and cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and half of the dried oregano and basil.
- In a large skillet or sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for about 6-7 minutes on each side until fully cooked and golden brown. Remove from skillet and let rest for a few minutes before slicing into bite-sized pieces.
- In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add the diced onion. Sauté for about 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic, cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Stir in the cherry tomatoes, cooking for about 2-3 minutes until they soften. Add chopped baby spinach, sliced olives, remaining oregano and basil, and stir until the spinach wilts.
- Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a gentle simmer, cooking uncovered for about 5 minutes.
- Add the cooked orzo and sliced chicken to the skillet, mixing together until well-coated with broth.
- Stir in crumbled feta and lemon juice, adjusting seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley.
Notes
Use fresh herbs and vegetables for a robust flavor. Adjust seasoning according to personal taste, especially with the salty feta and olives.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 25
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 80mg