Herb-Infused Baked Chicken with Garlic Orzo
Indulge in a delightful twist on a classic chicken and rice dish with this Herb-Infused Baked Chicken with Garlic Orzo. This one-dish meal brings together tender, flavorful chicken breasts and perfectly cooked orzo pasta, infused with aromatic herbs, garlic, and a splash of white wine. The orzo absorbs the savory chicken broth, creating a rich and satisfying dish that's perfect for family dinners or intimate gatherings. Enjoy the warm, comforting flavors that make this dinner a standout choice for any occasion.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
nonstick cooking spray
as needed (for spraying the skillet and baking pan)
boneless skinless chicken breast halves
4 (fresh)
dry white wine
1/4 cup (for deglazing)
uncooked orzo pasta
10 ounces (dry)
chopped onion
1 cup (fresh)
garlic, minced
4 cloves (fresh)
chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons (fresh)
dried oregano leaves
1 teaspoon (dry)
chicken broth
14 ounces (canned)
water
1/4 cup (for mixing)
paprika
to taste (for seasoning)
lemon pepper
1 teaspoon (for seasoning)
salt
1/4 teaspoon (for seasoning)
olive oil
2 teaspoons (for flavoring)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a large nonstick skillet, spray with nonstick cooking spray and heat over medium-high until hot.
3
Carefully add the chicken breast halves to the skillet and brown them meat side down for 1 to 2 minutes or until they're lightly golden brown. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
4
Reduce the skillet heat to medium-high and pour in the dry white wine. Stir with a spatula, scraping up the brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for about 30 seconds, allowing it to slightly reduce. Set aside.
5
Lightly spray a 9-inch square baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Layer the uncooked orzo pasta, chopped onions, minced garlic, fresh parsley, oregano, chicken broth, water, and the wine mixture in the pan. Stir everything together until evenly combined.
6
Place the browned chicken breasts on top of the pasta mixture.
7
Lightly sprinkle paprika, lemon pepper, and a dash of salt over the chicken breasts.
8
Cover the baking pan with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour and 10 minutes.
9
After cooking, remove the chicken and fold in the remaining salt and olive oil into the orzo and broth mixture for added flavor.
10
Return the chicken to the top of the orzo and serve hot, garnished with additional parsley if desired.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Herb-Infused Baked Chicken with Garlic Orzo?
It is a one-dish meal that combines tender, flavorful chicken breasts with orzo pasta, garlic, aromatic herbs, and a splash of white wine.
How much uncooked orzo pasta is required?
The recipe calls for 10 ounces of dry uncooked orzo pasta.
What is the oven temperature for this recipe?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
How long does the chicken and orzo bake?
The dish takes 1 hour and 10 minutes to bake in the oven.
What size baking pan should I use?
A 9-inch square baking pan is recommended for this recipe.
Do I need to brown the chicken before baking?
Yes, brown the chicken breast halves in a nonstick skillet for 1 to 2 minutes or until lightly golden before placing them in the baking pan.
What kind of wine is used for deglazing the skillet?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of dry white wine to deglaze the pan and scrape up the brown bits.
How many garlic cloves are in the recipe?
There are 4 minced cloves of garlic included in the orzo mixture.
What herbs are used in this dish?
The dish uses fresh parsley and dried oregano leaves for its herbal flavor profile.
Should the baking pan be covered?
Yes, cover the baking pan with aluminum foil before placing it in the oven.
What liquid is used to cook the orzo?
The orzo is cooked in a mixture of 14 ounces of chicken broth, 1/4 cup of water, and the reduced white wine.
When do I add the olive oil?
The olive oil is folded into the orzo and broth mixture after the dish has finished baking.
How much chicken is used in this recipe?
The recipe requires 4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves.
What seasonings are sprinkled on the chicken?
The chicken is seasoned with paprika, lemon pepper, and a dash of salt.
Can I use fresh onion?
Yes, the recipe calls for 1 cup of fresh chopped onion.
How much lemon pepper is needed?
You should use 1 teaspoon of lemon pepper for seasoning.
Is the orzo cooked before being added to the pan?
No, the orzo is added to the baking pan uncooked.
What is the purpose of browning the chicken first?
Browning the chicken adds color and flavor to the meat before it finishes cooking in the oven.
What type of chicken broth is used?
The recipe suggests 14 ounces of canned chicken broth.
How much olive oil is used for flavoring?
Two teaspoons of olive oil are added at the end of the cooking process.
What should I do with the wine after adding it to the skillet?
Simmer the wine for about 30 seconds while scraping up the brown bits, then set it aside to add to the baking pan.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 14 ingredients used in this recipe.
Can this dish be garnished?
Yes, it is recommended to garnish the dish with additional fresh parsley if desired.
Is the chicken placed under or on top of the orzo?
The browned chicken breasts are placed on top of the orzo pasta mixture before baking.
How much dried oregano is needed?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of dried oregano leaves.
How much salt is used in the seasonings?
A 1/4 teaspoon of salt is divided between seasoning the chicken and folding into the finished orzo.
Is the chicken breast skin-on or skinless?
The recipe uses skinless chicken breast halves.
What kind of cooking spray is recommended?
Nonstick cooking spray is used for both the skillet and the baking pan.
How much water is added to the pan?
The recipe requires 1/4 cup of water for mixing into the orzo.
What tags describe this meal?
Tags for this meal include chicken, orzo, baked dish, one dish meal, easy dinner, and comfort food.