Ingredients
2 medium chicken breasts, pounded to Β½ inch thickness
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning (divided)
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup orzo pasta
2 cups chicken broth
ΒΎ cup heavy cream
Β½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
2 cups baby spinach
1 medium lemon for zest and juice
Butter amount as needed for finishing
1 small yellow onion, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
Lemon slices for garnish
Chopped Italian parsley for garnish
Instructions
1-Begin by heating 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the 2 medium chicken breasts, seasoned with 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning (divided), salt, and pepper, and cook for about 5-7 minutes until golden and fully done. Make sure to stir occasionally for even browning and pound the chicken to Β½ inch thickness beforehand for uniform cooking.
2-Once the chicken is set aside, use the same skillet to sautΓ© 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 small diced yellow onion for about 1 minute until fragrant. Then, add 1 cup of orzo pasta and stir for 2 minutes to lightly toast it, which boosts the flavor.
3-Cooking the Orzo: Pour in 2 cups of chicken broth and the juice of 1 medium lemon, then bring to a gentle boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for 10 minutes until the orzo is tender and the liquid is absorbed. Mix in ΒΎ cup heavy cream, Β½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, 2 cups baby spinach, and the zest of 1 medium lemon for that creamy, citrus finish.
4-Return the chicken to the skillet, stir everything together, and heat for another 2 minutes. Finish with a bit of butter, then garnish with lemon slices and chopped Italian parsley. Remember to rest the chicken briefly to retain its juices, ensuring a juicy result every time.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Notes
π Pound chicken breasts evenly for uniform cooking.
β²οΈ Allow chicken to rest after cooking to retain juices.
π Zest the lemon before juicing to maximize flavor infusion.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: SautΓ©ing, Simmering
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten-Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 528
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 31 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
