Description
Savor the delightful flavors of Asparagus Orzo with Chicken—a simple, homemade dish combining tender chicken, fresh asparagus, and creamy goodness. Perfect for quick dinners or healthy meals that feel comforting and delicious!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound chicken breasts (cut into bite sized pieces)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
- Black pepper to taste
- 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cups chopped asparagus
- 1/2 cup finely diced onion (or shallot)
- 2 cloves garlic (1 teaspoon) (grated or minced)
- 1 1/2 cups orzo
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 3 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1/3 cup half and half (or heavy cream)
- 3 tablespoons pesto
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken to the skillet in a single layer. Cook for 2-3 minutes on one side, then flip to cook the other side until thoroughly cooked. Remove chicken to a plate.
- Add the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of oil to the skillet and toss in the chopped asparagus. Season with salt and pepper, cooking for 2-3 minutes until bright green, then remove to the plate with chicken.
- If necessary, add a drizzle of olive oil to the skillet. Sauté the onion for 1-2 minutes, then add garlic, orzo, and lemon zest, mixing together for 1 minute.
- Pour in the chicken broth and bring it to a boil, scraping any brown bits from the pan. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 9-11 minutes until orzo is al dente and most liquid is absorbed, stirring often.
- Stir in pesto, lemon juice, heavy cream (or half and half), chicken, asparagus, and Parmesan cheese. Mix to combine and warm through until cheese melts, without boiling. Adjust seasoning and serve topped with extra Parmesan if desired.
Notes
For added flavor, consider marinating the chicken in the Italian seasoning for an hour before cooking.
Feel free to swap asparagus for other vegetables like peas or spinach if desired.
Serve with a side salad for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 57g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 90mg