Looking for a quick and healthy meal that’s full of flavor? This Chicken with Orzo and Vegetables recipe is the perfect solution! It combines tender chicken, nutritious veggies, and tender orzo pasta for a delicious, balanced dish that’s easy to make any night of the week. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or the whole family, this recipe is sure to become a favorite go-to dinner. Let’s get cooking!
Ingredients
For the Chicken Mix:
- 20 ml olive oil
- 25 g butter
- 425 g chicken thighs
- 3 g salt
- 5 g ras el hanout
- 2 g garlic powder
- 2 g coriander powder
- 2 g cayenne pepper
- 15 ml olive oil
- 5 g fresh parsley
For the Orzo Mix:
- 45 ml olive oil
- 125 g yellow onion
- 100 g carrot
- 75 g red bell pepper
- 15 g fresh parsley
- 275 g orzo
- 1 chicken bouillon cube
- 4 g ras el hanout
- 3 g turmeric
- 2 g cayenne pepper
- 3 g garlic powder
- 1 bay leaf
- 750 ml water
- 75 g peas
How to Make Chicken with Orzo and Vegetables :
Wash and cut the chicken thighs into small pieces and place them in a large bowl. Add the salt, ras el hanout, garlic powder, coriander powder, cayenne pepper, 15 ml olive oil, and chopped parsley. Mix everything well and set aside.
Heat 45 ml olive oil in a deep pan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened. Then add the finely chopped carrot, red bell pepper, chopped parsley, and orzo. Cook everything for 1 minute, stirring continuously.
Crumble the chicken bouillon cube over the pan, then add the ras el hanout, turmeric, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and bay leaf. Stir well to combine. Pour in the boiling water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover the pan, and let it simmer gently for 5 minutes.
Add the peas, cover the pan again, and let everything simmer gently for another 10 minutes, or until the orzo is cooked through. Remove the pan from the heat and let the dish rest, covered, for 15 minutes.
Heat 20 ml olive oil together with the butter in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the marinated chicken thighs and cook for a few minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
Serve the orzo mixture with the fried chicken thighs.
Tips
- If you have time, marinate the chicken in the spice mix for at least 30 minutes (or longer) to develop deeper flavors.
- Make sure the pan is hot before frying the chicken to achieve a nice golden color and crispy edges.
- Stir the orzo regularly while cooking.
- Adding boiling water to the pan helps shorten cooking time and cooks the orzo faster.
- Letting the orzo rest covered allows the flavors to meld and ensures the perfect texture.
This Chicken with Orzo and Vegetables recipe is a perfect blend of hearty flavors and wholesome ingredients, ideal for a quick weeknight dinner or a satisfying family meal. With its vibrant spices, tender chicken, and nutritious veggies, it’s both delicious and nourishing. Plus, it’s easy to prepare and sure to impress. Give it a try, and enjoy a tasty dish that will keep everyone coming back for seconds!
