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Easy One-Pan Lazy Chicken Orzo Recipe with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Spinach

one-pan lazy chicken orzo - featured image
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A quick and easy one-pan chicken orzo dish featuring sun-dried tomatoes and fresh spinach, perfect for weeknight dinners with minimal cleanup and maximum flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound / 450 g), cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup (about 180 g) orzo pasta
  • ½ cup (about 60 g) sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (packed in oil, drained slightly)
  • 3 cups fresh baby spinach (about 90 g), loosely packed
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 cups (720 ml) low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • Juice of half a lemon (about 1 tablespoon)
  • ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces, chop the onion, mince garlic, and roughly chop sun-dried tomatoes. Rinse the spinach and set aside.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add chopped onion and garlic, cooking until fragrant and translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
  3. Add chicken pieces, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and cook until they start to brown but are not fully cooked through, about 5 minutes. Stir occasionally.
  4. Stir in chopped sun-dried tomatoes, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 2 minutes to release flavors.
  5. Pour in 3 cups chicken broth and bring to a gentle boil. Add orzo pasta, stir well, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring once or twice.
  6. Remove lid and fold in fresh spinach. Stir until wilted, about 2 minutes. Squeeze lemon juice over the dish and stir to combine. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  7. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the top, stirring lightly to melt. Serve immediately.

Notes

If orzo isn’t tender after cooking, add a splash more broth or water and cook a few minutes longer. Avoid over-stirring to prevent gummy pasta. Use broth instead of water for richer flavor. Adding spinach at the end keeps it fresh and vibrant. Lemon juice brightens the dish. For smoky depth, add smoked paprika in step 3. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days; reheat gently with broth to restore creaminess. Freeze before adding spinach and cheese.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pan, chicken orzo, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, easy dinner, weeknight meal, quick recipe, comfort food

Find it online: https://sizzlesprout.com/easy-one-pan-lazy-chicken-orzo-recipe-with-sun-dried-tomatoes-and-spinach/