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Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo : One-Pan, High-Protein Comfort

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This Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo is rich, hearty, and packed with flavor—yet comes together in one skillet. Juicy seared chicken, tender orzo pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh spinach are enveloped in a creamy, garlicky sauce that feels indulgent but fits right into a balanced, protein-forward meal plan. It’s the kind of weeknight dinner that tastes like it came from a restaurant—without the fuss.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cubed

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 cup dry orzo

2 cups low-sodium chicken broth

1/2 cup milk or half-and-half

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed, drained and chopped)

2 cups fresh spinach

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Salt and pepper to taste

Optional: red pepper flakes, lemon zest

Instructions

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken, season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook until golden and cooked through, then set aside.

In the same skillet, add garlic and orzo. Toast for 1–2 minutes.

Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is tender.

Stir in milk, Parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and cooked chicken. Cook until the sauce thickens and spinach wilts.

Adjust seasoning and serve warm, garnished with optional red pepper flakes or lemon zest.

Notes

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken, season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook until golden and cooked through, then set aside.

In the same skillet, add garlic and orzo. Toast for 1–2 minutes.

Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is tender.

Stir in milk, Parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and cooked chicken. Cook until the sauce thickens and spinach wilts.

Adjust seasoning and serve warm, garnished with optional red pepper flakes or lemon zest.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://thecomfortspoon.com/creamy-tuscan-chicken-orzo-one-pan-high-protein-comfort/