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Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo Recipe Easy Garlic Spinach Dinner

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A quick and easy creamy Tuscan chicken orzo dish with garlic, spinach, and a luscious sauce that is perfect for cozy dinners and busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 cup orzo pasta (about 175 g)
  • 3 cups loosely packed fresh spinach (about 90 g)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes (optional)
  • 1 cup heavy cream (240 ml)
  • 1½ cups low-sodium chicken broth (360 ml)
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (about 50 g)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (blend of basil, oregano, thyme)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep Ingredients: Mince garlic, chop sun-dried tomatoes (if using), roughly chop spinach, and slice chicken breasts into 1-inch chunks. (About 10 minutes)
  2. Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces, season with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs. Sauté 5-7 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
  3. Sauté Garlic and Tomatoes: Reduce heat to medium, add garlic and sun-dried tomatoes to the same pan. Cook 1-2 minutes until fragrant, careful not to burn garlic.
  4. Add Orzo and Liquids: Stir in orzo to coat with garlic and oil. Add chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is tender but slightly firm.
  5. Finish with Spinach and Cheese: Stir in spinach and cooked chicken. Cook uncovered 2-3 minutes until spinach wilts. Remove from heat and stir in Parmesan cheese and lemon juice.
  6. Adjust Seasoning: Taste and add more salt, pepper, or herbs as needed. Sauce should be creamy and coat the orzo and chicken well.

Notes

If sauce is too thick, add more broth or cream to loosen. Cook orzo patiently on medium-low heat covered to avoid mushiness. Do not overcrowd pan when cooking chicken. Adding lemon juice at the end brightens the dish. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut or cashew cream and Parmesan with nutritional yeast. For gluten-free, substitute orzo with gluten-free pasta or cauliflower rice.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy Tuscan chicken, orzo recipe, garlic spinach dinner, easy chicken dinner, creamy chicken pasta, Tuscan chicken orzo

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