One Pot Italian Chicken & Orzo / Risoni Pasta
User Reviews
4.9
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
25 mins
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Total Time
35 mins
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Servings
4
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Calories
530 kcal
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Course
Main Course, Dinner
One Pot Italian Chicken & Orzo / Risoni Pasta
Description
One Pot Italian Chicken & Orzo blends marinated chicken breasts with risoni, a rice-shaped pasta, cooked together with vegetables and crushed tomato for a cohesive, flavorful dish. The chicken is marinated in a mixture of white wine vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, garlic, and Italian herbs to impart a subtle tang and herbaceous aroma. Cooking the chicken separately first to retain juiciness, followed by simmering the pasta and vegetables in tomato and chicken stock, develops a saucy texture as the risoni absorbs the flavors and liquid.
The final step of stirring through Parmesan cheese and fresh basil brightens the dish, adding creaminess and herbal freshness. The texture is tender pasta with juicy chicken pieces and soft vegetables. The recipe suits a convenient, hearty meal with its fully integrated flavors and straightforward preparation.
Adjustments include cutting larger chicken breasts to appropriate serving sizes and options to skip marinating by using thinner cuts and reducing cook time. Cooking chicken with pasta in one pot can be done by adding bite-sized chicken pieces earlier in the cooking process, for a faster meal finish.
Ingredients
Marinade
- 2 tbsp white wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp Italian herb mix (or make your own with basil, parsley, oregano)
- 1 garlic minced, clove
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Chicken
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 x 110 - 120g/4oz chicken breast skinless and boneless (Note 1
Risoni
- 1/2 tbsp olive oil (if required)
- 1 onion finely chopped (brown, white, yellow, small
- 1 garlic minced, clove
- 1 red bell pepper chopped, or capsicum
- 1 1/2 cups risoni pasta Note 2, or orzo pasta
- 400 g / 14 oz crushed tomato canned
- 3 cups chicken stock or broth
- 1 tsp Italian herb mix
- Pinch red pepper flakes chilli flakes) (optional
- salt
- black pepper
- 1/4 cup (3 tbsp) Parmesan Cheese grated, optional
- 1 cup basil leaves
Instructions
- Mix Marinade ingredients together in a large bowl. Add chicken and mix to coat. Marinate for 1 hour - 24 hours (See Note 3 to skip marinating).
- Heat oil in skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and cook for 4 minutes on each side, or until cooked. Transfer to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm while resting.
- Turn heat up to medium high. Add oil if required.
- Add onion and garlic, cook for 2 minutes. Add capsicum and cook for 1 minute or until onion is translucent.
- Add risoni, tomato, chicken stock, Italian herbs, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Mix and bring to simmer, then lower heat to medium low or so it simmers gently.
- Cook for 9 - 10 minutes, stirring frequently (otherwise it will stick).
- Take it off the stove when the risoni is just cooked (touch under is ok, finishes cooking in residual heat very quickly). It should still be saucy (see video).
- Stir through parmesan and basil - excess liquid will evaporate in this step.
- Spoon risoni into serving bowls, top with chicken. Serve with extra parmesan and basil.
Notes
- Cut larger chicken breasts in half horizontally to create even steaks for quicker, even cooking.
- Risoni (or orzo) is a small, rice-shaped pasta commonly found in supermarket pasta sections.
- To skip marinating, slice chicken thinly and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, reducing marinating time to a minimum.
- For quicker cooking, dice the chicken and cook with vegetables before adding pasta and liquids to one pot.
- Serving sizes per chicken breast vary between 120-150g; adjust portions accordingly.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 530 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 515g | |
| Calories | 530cal | 27% |
| Carbohydrates | 55.8g | 19% |
| Protein | 39.5g | 79% |
| Fat | 15.8g | 24% |
| Saturated Fat | 3.8g | 19% |
| Cholesterol | 87mg | 29% |
| Sodium | 1316mg | 55% |
| Potassium | 618mg | 13% |
| Fiber | 4.2g | 17% |
| Sugar | 8g | 16% |
| Vitamin A | 1300IU | 26% |
| Vitamin C | 44.6mg | 50% |
| Calcium | 250mg | 25% |
| Iron | 3.1mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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