Indulge in a culinary journey with our remarkable Chicken Orzo Casserole, a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. This delectable dish features tender chicken nestled amidst a vibrant medley of orzo pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and a creamy Parmesan sauce. Each bite offers a harmonious blend of textures and flavors, making it an instant favorite among casserole enthusiasts.
In this comprehensive guide, we present two irresistible variations of this classic recipe. The first recipe, "One-Pot Chicken Orzo Casserole," lives up to its name by simplifying the cooking process, requiring just one pot for both the chicken and the casserole. This streamlined approach saves time and effort, making it a perfect choice for busy weeknight dinners.
Our second recipe, "Chicken Orzo Casserole with Vegetables," takes the dish to a whole new level by incorporating an array of colorful vegetables. This vibrant variation boasts the goodness of bell peppers, zucchini, and broccoli, adding an extra layer of nutrition and flavor. Whether you prefer the classic or the vegetable-packed version, both recipes guarantee a delightful dining experience.
So gather your ingredients, prepare your taste buds, and embark on a culinary adventure with our Chicken Orzo Casserole. Let's dive into the recipes and create a dish that will leave you and your loved ones craving for more.
GREEK LEMON CHICKEN AND ORZO CASSEROLE
Provided by Jeff Mauro, host of Sandwich King
Categories main-dish
Time 55m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- For the orzo: Whisk together the stock, butter, salt, cornstarch, dill, lemon zest and juice and garlic in a bowl. Mix in the orzo.
- For the chicken: In a separate bowl, mix together the coriander, salt and pepper. Coat the chicken all over with the seasoning.
- Pour the stock/orzo mixture into a glass 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Add the chicken breasts, laying them at an angle so all but the tops of the breasts are submerged. Shingle the lemon slices in between the chicken breasts.
- Bake, uncovered, until the chicken registers an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, 35 to 40 minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes. Top with the chopped parsley before serving.
GREEK CHICKEN ORZO CASSEROLE
This Greek-inspired dish, featuring chicken, spinach, oregano, feta cheese crumbles and fresh lemon, proves that casseroles can be lighter and brighter without sacrificing taste.
Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Entree
Time 1h15m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. Cook and drain pasta as directed on package.
- Meanwhile, in large bowl, mix tomatoes, spinach, about half of the cheese, the olive oil and oregano; stir in cooked pasta. Spoon mixture into baking dish. Drizzle broth over pasta mixture. In same bowl, mix chicken and seasoning until well coated. Place chicken pieces over orzo mixture; cover with foil.
- Bake 45 minutes; remove foil, top with remaining cheese. Bake 4 to 5 minutes longer or until juice of chicken is clear when center of thickest part is cut (at least 165°F). Top with grated lemon peel and green onions.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 440, Carbohydrate 52 g, Cholesterol 50 mg, Fat 2 1/2, Fiber 3 g, Protein 26 g, SaturatedFat 5 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 770 mg, Sugar 3 g, TransFat 0 g
GARLIC-BUTTER ORZO CHICKEN CASSEROLE
Find 20 minutes and this luscious, Caprese salad-inspired, chicken casserole can be tonight's dinner. The trick to the quick prep is coating the raw ingredients with rich and aromatic seasonings before baking. The chicken breasts get rubbed with olive oil, Italian seasoning and a dash of red pepper flakes and placed atop a garlicky, buttery bed of orzo and tomatoes. Then the casserole gets sealed up tight with foil, so the flavors can concentrate and meld in the oven. It won't take long before you're enjoying the savory aroma-and flavor-of this dish!
Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Entree
Time 1h35m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. Spread uncooked orzo evenly in baking dish.
- Add broth, melted butter, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and the black pepper to orzo in baking dish; stir. Spread tomatoes evenly over mixture.
- In large bowl, mix oil, Italian seasoning, 1/4 teaspoon salt and the red pepper flakes. Add chicken; turn to coat. Place chicken evenly over tomatoes; cover with foil. Bake 55 to 65 minutes or until juice of chicken is clear when center of thickest part is cut, and chicken and mixture are both heated to at least 165°F in center.
- Remove foil, and sprinkle chicken with mozzarella cheese; bake uncovered 5 to 7 minutes or until cheese is melted. Top with basil.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 530, Carbohydrate 34 g, Cholesterol 140 mg, Fat 2 1/2, Fiber 3 g, Protein 51 g, SaturatedFat 9 g, ServingSize 1 Chicken Breast and About 1 Cup Orzo, Sodium 970 mg, Sugar 3 g, TransFat 1/2 g
ZESTY CHICKEN ORZO CASSEROLE
Zesty seasoned chicken pieces are simmered in a chunky tomato sauce with chile peppers and orzo and topped with shredded Cheddar cheese for a quick and flavorful dinner.
Provided by Tyson Chicken
Categories Trusted Brands: Recipes and Tips Tyson® Grilled & Ready®
Time 40m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large saucepan combine broth, undrained tomatoes and orzo. Bring to boiling. Stir in Grilled & Ready® Southwestern Chicken Strips. Transfer mixture to a 2-quart baking dish.
- Bake, covered, for 25 to 30 minutes or until pasta is tender. Uncover and sprinkle with cheese during last 5 minutes of baking. Let stand, covered, for 10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 319.2 calories, Carbohydrate 30.7 g, Cholesterol 85.7 mg, Fat 7.5 g, Fiber 1.5 g, Protein 31 g, SaturatedFat 3.4 g, Sodium 920.8 mg, Sugar 1.7 g
MUSTARD CHICKEN AND ORZO CASSEROLE WITH DILL AND CAPERS
Steps:
- Bring broth to a simmer in a 4-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat. Add chicken and simmer very gently, turning once, 6 minutes total. Remove pan from heat and cover, then let stand until chicken is just cooked through, about 15 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate to cool and keep broth warm, partially covered.
- Melt butter in a 2- to 3-quart heavy saucepan over low heat, then add flour and cook roux, stirring, 3 minutes. Add warm broth all at once, whisking, and simmer gently, whisking occasionally, 10 minutes. Whisk in cream and simmer, whisking occasionally, 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in mustards, capers, salt, pepper, nutmeg, and dill (to taste).
- Transfer 1/2 cup sauce to a small bowl and stir in sour cream to make topping.
- Shred chicken with your fingers and stir together with remaining sauce in a large bowl.
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Cook celery in a large pot of boiling salted water until tender, about 8 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a bowl of cold water to stop cooking and return cooking water to a boil. Drain celery in a colander and add to chicken mixture. Cook orzo in same boiling water until just tender, then drain in a sieve.
- Stir orzo into chicken mixture, then transfer mixture to gratin dish, spreading evenly. Spoon sour cream topping over top and spread evenly. Bake, covered with foil, in middle of oven until heated through and sauce is bubbling around edges, 25 to 30 minutes.
- Preheat broiler.
- Remove foil from dish and broil about 3 inches from heat until top is speckled with brown spots, 3 to 5 minutes.
CHICKEN, SPINACH, AND ORZO CASSEROLE
Deb is right. This recipe is very different from your average chicken casserole. The sauce and orzo are creamy. Spinach and sauteed mushrooms add a rich umami flavor. Serve this as a main or it could even be a side dish. It's a delicious dinner casserole.
Provided by Deb Finney
Categories Casseroles
Time 50m
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- 1. Boil chicken breasts, reserve broth. Chop chicken or shred, whichever you prefer. I tend to just chop.
- 2. Cook orzo according to package directions using the chicken broth.
- 3. Saute mushrooms until tender.
- 4. Mix chicken, orzo, spinach (thawed and drained), mushrooms, soup, mayo, lemon juice, and pepper.
- 5. Spoon into a greased 9 x13 pan. Sprinkle with cheese and bread crumbs. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.
Tips:
- For a richer flavor, use chicken broth instead of water. - Add a cup of frozen peas or corn for a pop of color and extra nutrition. - If you don't have orzo, you can use another small pasta shape like penne or macaroni. - For a cheesy casserole, stir in 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese before baking. - Serve with a side of crusty bread or a green salad.Conclusion:
This easy and flavorful chicken orzo casserole is a perfect meal for busy weeknights. It's also a great way to use up leftover chicken. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can have a delicious and satisfying meal that the whole family will enjoy.
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