Chicken Thighs and Orzo

May 10, 2023May 10, 20230 9
Chicken Thighs and Orzo - A Savory Mediterranean Delight
in Main

Prep

5 min

Cook

30 min

Ready In

35 min

Level

Easy

Rating

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars
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Ingredients

4 ounces pancetta or 4 slices bacon , chopped
olive oil
6 skinless chicken thighs
2 cans diced tomatoes with onion and garlic
1 cup dried orzo pasta
2 garlic cloves , minced
1 cup water
1/3 cup kalamata olive
1/4 cup fresh basil , torn
1 bag baby spinach leaves
3 ounces garlic and herb goat cheese ( about 1/3 cup )

Nutrision Information

Servings Per Recipe
4
Calories
500
Sugar
5g
Fat
24g
If you're looking for a delicious Mediterranean-style dish, you won't be disappointed with chicken thighs and orzo. The ingredients in this dish add beautiful depth of flavor. Pancetta is a type of Italian bacon that adds salt and umami to the dish. Kalamata olives add a tangy and salty flavor that works well with orzo and chicken. Additionally, spinach and basil add fresh and herbaceous vibes to the dish that complement the savory pancetta grease. This meal is perfect for serving for special occasions or a quick weekend dinner.

Instructions

1.Heat a large Dutch oven over medium heat, and add pancetta or bacon. Cook until crispy and transfer to a paper towel.
2.Salt and pepper chicken thighs. In the same pan with pancetta grease, cook chicken until browned for approximately 7 minutes, flip, and cook for another 7 minutes. Remove from the pan.
3.Add minced garlic, canned tomatoes, orzo, and 1 cup of water to the pan. Bring to a gentle boil and reduce heat to a simmer.
4.Add olives and 1/4 cup of fresh basil.
5.Add spinach and stir until the spinach wilts.
6.Add chicken and pancetta to the pan and sprinkle goat cheese over the top. Cover until the cheese melts. Serve and enjoy!

PROS

A perfect balance of flavors with savory, salty, and tinge of acidity, topped with pillowy goat cheese make for a satisfying dish.

Budget-friendly and easy to make.

This dish is versatile, serving a party of four and reheats well.

CONS

Chicken thighs are high in calories and fat- 1 chicken thigh (69g) contains 183 calories, 12g of fat.

Orzo is high in carbs – 1 cup (140g) of orzo contains 42g of carbs.

This recipe may not be appropriate for those strictly following a low-calorie or low-carb diet.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

This dish is loaded with nutrition.
Chicken thighs are rich in vitamin B6, phosphorus, and niacin.
Tomatoes contain vitamins A and C, and support eye health. Additionally, canned tomatoes are a concentrated source of Lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that protects cells from damage.
Goat cheese provides more calcium per serving than most other dairy products.

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