Quick and Easy Pork {or Chicken} Mediterranean Orzo Skillet
User Reviews
4.8
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
15 mins
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Total Time
30 mins
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Servings
6 servings
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Mediterranean
Quick and Easy Pork {or Chicken} Mediterranean Orzo Skillet
Description
Quick and Easy Pork {or Chicken} Mediterranean Orzo Skillet starts by cooking orzo pasta slightly less than package instructions along with fresh baby spinach until wilted. The skillet method allows for searing pork tenderloin pieces or chicken cubes seasoned with salt and pepper until golden before adding red bell peppers, grape tomatoes, oregano, and garlic. Tomatoes soften and burst, mingling their juices with the meat and spices during a short sauté.
Once cooked, the orzo and spinach are stirred back into the skillet, absorbing the flavors and delivering a tender, slightly chewy pasta base contrasted by the softness of spinach and freshness of vegetables. Feta cheese folded in adds a salty creaminess with some reserved for garnish. The dish can be served warm as a complete stovetop meal.
This skillet meal works well for weeknights or casual dinners, combining protein, vegetables, and grains simply. Adjusting the protein between pork and chicken offers flexibility without changing the core flavor profile.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces orzo pasta about 1 to 1 1/4 cups dry pasta
- 5-6 ounces spinach fresh baby
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 ½ to 2 to 2 pounds pork tenderloin skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch cubes, or boneless
- ½ teaspoon salt I use coarse, kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper I use coarsely ground black pepper
- ½ to 1 to 1 cup red bell pepper about 1 large pepper, chopped
- 1 to 2 to 2 cups grape tomatoes halved, or cherry tomatoes
- ½ teaspoon oregano dried
- 2 cloves garlic finely chopped (or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder)
- ½ to 1 to 1 cup feta cheese crumbled
Instructions
- Start the water for the orzo heating in a large pot (we're multi tasking here to make this a quick meal!). When it comes to a boil, add a tablespoon of salt and cook the orzo one minute less than the package directions. Add the spinach to the pot and cook until wilted, about a minute or so. Drain the pasta and spinach together in a colander.
- While the pasta cooks, heat the oil in a large 12-inch nonstick or stainless skillet over medium heat. Add the pork or chicken, sprinkle with the salt and pepper, and cook until golden on the outside (it will finish cooking in the next step). Add the bell peppers, tomatoes, oregano and garlic, and cook, stirring often, until the tomatoes burst and the meat is cooked through, 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the drained orzo and spinach (you may need to break up any clumps of spinach) and heat through. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper, if needed. Stir in half of the feta cheese, sprinkle the other half on top. Serve warm.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 Serving | |
| Calories | 346kcal | 17% |
| Carbohydrates | 32g | 11% |
| Protein | 31g | 62% |
| Fat | 10g | 15% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Cholesterol | 85mg | 28% |
| Sodium | 417mg | 17% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.8
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