Creamy Chicken Orzo With Mushrooms And Bacon (One Pot)
User Reviews
4.3
198 reviews
Good
-
Prep Time
10 mins
-
Cook Time
10 mins
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Total Time
45 mins
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Servings
4
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Calories
521 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Italian
Creamy Chicken Orzo With Mushrooms And Bacon (One Pot)
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This creamy chicken orzo is a risotto-like family dinner packed full of comforting chicken, bacon and mushrooms - that's actually made with rice-shaped pasta... and no cream! Super easy to make with simple ingredients and all in one pot.
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Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon butter for cooking
- 1 onion chopped finely
- 2 garlic cloves crushed
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 4 ounces smoked bacon chopped (about 4 slices of back bacon or ¼ cup)
- 12 ounces skinless boneless chicken thighs (around 5 small thighs, chopped into pieces)
- 9 ounces orzo pasta (dried, about 1½ cups)
- 4¼ cups chicken broth (stock)
- 5 ounces mushrooms sliced
- 6 ounces fresh spinach
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese grated
- 1 tablespoon cream cheese
- ½ teaspoon salt Or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon pepper Or to taste
- ½ lemon (juice only)
To serve (optional)
- ¼ bunch fresh parsley
- a little more grated parmesan cheese
- lemon segments (For squeezing over at the table, if desired.)
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a large pan on a medium heat, then add the onion. Cook, stirring, for a few minutes until softened, then add the garlic and herbs. Cook for a minute or so longer.
- Add the bacon and chicken pieces to the pan and cook, stirring, for a few minutes until cooked on the outside.
- Add the dry orzo to the pan and stir in well, then pour in the chicken broth/stock. Simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally so that the orzo doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan too much.
- Add the mushrooms and simmer for about another 10 minutes, or until the dish has thickened (there will still be some liquid, which is fine).
- At the last minute, stir in the spinach until wilted, then stir through the parmesan cheese and the tablespoon of cream cheese. Add the salt, pepper, and lemon juice.
- Serve immediately in bowls with fresh parsley, more parmesan and lemon segments (if desired) on top.
Equipments used:
Notes
- What's orzo? Orzo looks like big grains of rice, but it's actually pasta! You can get it from large supermarkets, or try an Italian or other European deli if you're struggling to find it. Alternatively, use another 'small' pasta such as small elbow macaroni.
- Chicken: I prefer chicken thighs, but feel free to use chopped chicken breasts instead. You can even use leftover cooked chicken such as rotisserie chicken. However, I think that cooking the chicken in the dish makes the dish the most flavorful.
- Got leftovers? Try re-heating any leftover creamy orzo chicken the next day in the microwave. You might like to add a drizzle of extra broth or water beforehand. Simply cover and microwave on 80% power for 3-4 minutes until piping hot again.
- Can you freeze it? You can. Simply cool, then freeze in an airtight container for up to 2 months for best results. Let defrost in the fridge overnight before reheating as above.
- No cream cheese? Add a small drizzle of heavy cream to the finished chicken orzo instead of cream cheese if you prefer. If you don't have either cream or cream cheese, add extra parmesan cheese, or simply don't worry - your chicken and mushroom orzo will still be wonderfully creamy and delicious!
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Calories
521kcal
(26%)
Carbohydrates
57g
(19%)
Protein
40g
(80%)
Fat
15g
(23%)
Saturated Fat
6g
(30%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
Monounsaturated Fat
4g
Trans Fat
0.1g
Cholesterol
120mg
(40%)
Sodium
1826mg
(76%)
Potassium
951mg
(27%)
Fiber
5g
(20%)
Sugar
5g
(10%)
Vitamin A
4560IU
(91%)
Vitamin C
27mg
(30%)
Calcium
253mg
(25%)
Iron
4mg
(22%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 521 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 521kcal | 26% |
| Carbohydrates | 57g | 19% |
| Protein | 40g | 80% |
| Fat | 15g | 23% |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Trans Fat | 0.1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 120mg | 40% |
| Sodium | 1826mg | 76% |
| Potassium | 951mg | 20% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 4560IU | 91% |
| Vitamin C | 27mg | 30% |
| Calcium | 253mg | 25% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.3
198 reviews
Good
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