Description
Monterey Chicken One Pan Orzo is a comforting and easy-to-make dish featuring seasoned chicken breasts cooked with orzo pasta, vegetables, and melted cheese—all in one skillet.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 cup diced tomatoes (canned or fresh)
- 1/2 cup diced bell peppers (red or green)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and oregano.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and sear until golden brown on both sides, about 4 minutes per side. Remove chicken and set aside.
- In the same skillet, sauté onion, bell peppers, and garlic until softened, about 3 minutes.
- Add orzo, chicken broth, water, and diced tomatoes. Stir to combine.
- Return chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the orzo mixture.
- Cover and simmer over medium-low heat for 15-20 minutes, or until orzo is tender and chicken is cooked through.
- Sprinkle shredded Monterey Jack cheese over the top. Cover and cook for another 2-3 minutes until cheese melts.
- Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- Use chicken thighs for juicier meat if preferred.
- Add spinach or zucchini for extra veggies.
- Substitute Monterey Jack with mozzarella or cheddar if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: One-Pan Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with orzo
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 110mg