Prep time: 10 mins | Cook time: 20 mins | Total time: 30 mins | Servings: 6
A no-fuss, super quick meal that is crazy delicious, creamy, and cheesy! A complete meal with proteins, veggies, and everyone’s favourite, the Parmesan orzo. So if you are looking for an easy meal that is ready in a heartbeat, I am pretty sure you’ll love this Creamy Parmesan Orzo with Chicken and Asparagus.
INGREDIENTS
1 pound chicken breast boneless and skinless (about 3)
1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
1/2 teaspoon pepper or to taste
1 tablespoon paprika
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 c. asparagus chopped
1 large onion chopped
4 cloves garlic minced
2 c. orzo uncooked
2 c. half and half
3 c. chicken broth low sodium, or water
1 1/2 c. Parmesan cheese grated
2 tablespoons parsley chopped, for garnish
HOW TO MAKE CREAMY PARMESAN ORZO WITH CHICKEN AND ASPARAGUS
Step 1: On both sides, season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and paprika.
Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken to the skillet and sear for about 5 minutes on each side until golden brown and completely cooked. The cooking time varies depending on the size of the chicken. Then, place the cooked chicken on a warm plate and set aside.
Step 3: Cook the asparagus in the same skillet for about 3 minutes until it begins to soften and brown a little. Place to a plate and set aside.
Step 4: Saute the onion and garlic in the same skillet for approximately 3 minutes until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant. If needed, add extra olive oil.
Step 5: To the skillet, add the orzo and saute for a minute, enough to get it a bit toasted and give it a nutty flavour. Stir in the half-and-half and chicken broth.
Step 6: Bring the mixture to a boil. Adjust the heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for another 10 minutes.
Step 7: Uncover and add in the Parmesan cheese. Stir and adjust the seasoning according to taste.
Step 8: To the skillet, add the asparagus back and stir.
Step 9: Into thin pieces, slice the chicken, then either add them to the skillet or arrange the slices over the orzo.
Step 10: If desired, garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and parsley. Enjoy warm.
Notes:
If you are wondering what is a half-and-half, it is equal parts to whole milk and light cream which averages 10 to 12% fat and is normally less than light cream.
Feel free to add more veggies like spinach, broccoli, mushrooms, or peas.
NUTRITION FACTS:
Calories: 556kcal (28%) | Carbohydrates: 47g (16%) | Protein: 37g (74%) | Fat: 24g (37%) | Saturated Fat: 11g (69%) | Cholesterol: 95mg (32%) | Sodium: 756mg (33%) | Potassium: 743mg (21%) | Fiber: 2g (8%) | Sugar: 3g (3%) | Vitamin A: 1335IU (27%) | Vitamin C: 7mg (8%) | Calcium: 419mg (42%) | Iron: 2.3mg (13%)
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breast boneless and skinless (about 3)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper or to taste
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 c. asparagus chopped
- 1 large onion chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 c. orzo uncooked
- 2 c. half and half
- 3 c. chicken broth low sodium, or water
- 1 1/2 c. Parmesan cheese grated
- 2 tablespoons parsley chopped, for garnish
Instructions
Step 1: On both sides, season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and paprika.
Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken to the skillet and sear for about 5 minutes on each side until golden brown and completely cooked. The cooking time varies depending on the size of the chicken. Then, place the cooked chicken on a warm plate and set aside.
Step 3: Cook the asparagus in the same skillet for about 3 minutes until it begins to soften and brown a little. Place to a plate and set aside.
Step 4: Saute the onion and garlic in the same skillet for approximately 3 minutes until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant. If needed, add extra olive oil.
Step 5: To the skillet, add the orzo and saute for a minute, enough to get it a bit toasted and give it a nutty flavour. Stir in the half-and-half and chicken broth.
Step 6: Bring the mixture to a boil. Adjust the heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for another 10 minutes.
Step 7: Uncover and add in the Parmesan cheese. Stir and adjust the seasoning according to taste.
Step 8: To the skillet, add the asparagus back and stir.
Step 9: Into thin pieces, slice the chicken, then either add them to the skillet or arrange the slices over the orzo.
Step 10: If desired, garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and parsley. Enjoy warm.
Notes
If you are wondering what is a half-and-half, it is equal parts to whole milk and light cream which averages 10 to 12% fat and is normally less than light cream. Feel free to add more veggies like spinach, broccoli, mushrooms, or peas.
