Orzo with Chicken and Vegetables
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Fresh and light with asparagus, mushrooms, lemon and basil this orzo with chicken and vegetables is perfect for summertime meals.
Author:
Recipe type: side, main
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4-6
Ingredients
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 1 whole garlic- 7-8 cloves, chopped
  • 2 red bell peppers, diced
  • ½ bunch asparagus, ends trimmed and cut into 1-inch slices
  • 1 small broccoli, chopped into bite sized pieces
  • 2 cups mushrooms, sliced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1-2 cups fresh basil
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
for marination:
  • 2 chicken breasts, cut into small bite sized pieces
  • 2 tbsp piri piri sauce (you could use vinegar, use less in that case)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tsp (or more) red pepper flakes
  • 1 tbsp steak rub
  • 1 tsp herbs de provence
  • 1 16 oz (454 gms) packet orzo pasta
Instructions
  1. Marinate the chicken pieces with the piri piri sauce, oil, steak rub and herbs de provence and keep for an hour.
  2. Boil a pan of salted water. Cook the orzo according to package instructions. Drain and drizzle with some olive oil and set aside.
  3. In a large pan, or cast iron skillet, add 1 tbsp oil and 1 tbsp butter. Add the chicken and cook the chicken for a few minutes, till its cooked. Remove from pan.
  4. In the same skillet, add 1 tbsp olive oil. Add the garlic.
  5. Add all the veggies- onion, asparagus, mushrooms, broccoli, red bell pepper. Add in balsamic vinegar, season with salt and pepper and cook on high for 2-3 minutes. I like my veggies to have some crunch so I only cook them for a 2 minutes or so.
  6. Add the chicken back and sauté for another minute. Take off heat. Add the fresh basil, cooked the orzo and lemon juice. Adjust seasoning.You can drizzle some olive oil if you like.
  7. Serve with some parmesan cheese.
Recipe by The Novice Housewife at https://novicehousewife.com/2016/06/01/orzo-chicken-vegetables/