One Pot Chicken Orzo Pesto
A quick and flavorful one-pot meal featuring tender chicken, orzo pasta, and vibrant basil pesto, perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup orzo pasta
2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup basil pesto
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet or pot over medium-high heat.
Add the chicken pieces and season with salt and black pepper. Cook until browned on all sides and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes. Remove chicken from the pot and set aside.
In the same pot, add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes.
Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add the orzo pasta to the pot and stir to coat with the oil, onion, and garlic mixture.
Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
Return the cooked chicken to the pot along with the basil pesto and cherry tomatoes. Stir gently to combine and heat through for 2-3 minutes.
Remove from heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese.
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper if needed.
Serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil leaves.