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marry me chicken orzo

Marry Me Chicken Orzo

By Emily Carter
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 8 minutes
Cook Time 22 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 580 kcal

Ingredients
  

Chicken:

  • 500 g / 1.1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch pieces
  • ½ tsp fine sea salt · ¼ tsp black pepper · ½ tsp garlic powder · ½ tsp smoked paprika · 1 tsp cornstarch

Sauce and orzo:

  • 2 tbsp sun-dried tomato jar oil
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tbsp double-concentrated tomato paste
  • ⅓ cup 55g sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
  • 1 cup 200g dry orzo
  • 2½ cups 600ml low-sodium chicken stock
  • 1 cup 240ml heavy cream, minimum 36% fat after orzo only
  • ½ cup 50g freshly grated Parmesan from a block off heat
  • 2 large handfuls of baby spinach
  • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes · ½ tsp Italian seasoning
  • ¼ cup fresh basil torn off heat only

Instructions
 

  • Toss chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and cornstarch until coated.
  • Heat the tomato oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken in a single layer 3 min without moving, toss, 2 more min until golden and 165°F / 74°C. Transfer to plate.
  • Same pan, add garlic, stir 60 sec. Add tomato paste, stir 90 sec until brick red. Add sun-dried tomatoes, stir 30 sec.
  • Add dry orzo. Stir to coat 30 sec. Add all 2½ cups of stock. Stir to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer. Reduce to medium-low.
  • Cook uncovered 10 to 12 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes, until orzo is al dente and stock is mostly absorbed.
  • Reduce to low. Add cream, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning. Simmer gently for 3 to 4 minutes.
  • Add spinach. Stir until wilted 60 sec. Remove from heat.
  • Add Parmesan in 3 stages off heat, stirring fully between each.
  • Return chicken. Fold gently. Taste for salt. Scatter basil off the heat. Serve immediately.

Notes

Orzo sticking: Stir every 2 minutes. Keep heat at medium-low after adding stock. Use a large deep pan.
Sauce too thin: Stock ratio was too high. Next time, use exactly 2½ cups. Simmer 2 extra minutes before cream.
Cream broke: Added before orzo finished cooking. Add cream only when orzo is al dente.
Chicken thighs: Same cook time. The richer the result, the better the choice.
Gluten-free: Use certified GF orzo same ratio and timing.
Dairy-free: Full-fat canned coconut cream + nutritional yeast + white miso paste