Description
A delicious and easy recipe for Savory Balsamic Chicken and Veggie Orzo, featuring tender chicken marinated in balsamic, mixed with colorful vegetables and orzo pasta for a flavorful one-pan meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 lb orzo pasta
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
- 1 zucchini, chopped
- 1 red onion, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Add the chicken pieces to the marinade, ensuring they are well coated. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a large oven-safe skillet or baking dish, combine the marinated chicken, red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, zucchini, red onion, and cherry tomatoes.
- Add the uncooked orzo pasta to the skillet and toss everything together to distribute the ingredients evenly.
- Pour the remaining marinade over the chicken and vegetable mixture. Stir gently to coat.
- Cover the skillet or baking dish with foil.
- Bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the orzo is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
- Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the marinade.
- Feel free to substitute vegetables based on seasonality or preference. Broccoli, asparagus, or mushrooms work well.
- Ensure chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg