**Chicken Piccata with Orzo: A Delightful Italian Dinner**
Indulge in the classic flavors of Italy with our delectable Chicken Piccata with Orzo. This easy-to-make dish combines tender chicken breasts, a zesty lemon-butter sauce, and plump orzo pasta for a satisfying and flavorful meal. The crispy chicken is coated in a flavorful breadcrumb mixture and pan-fried to perfection, then smothered in a rich and tangy sauce made with capers, lemon juice, and white wine. The orzo pasta is cooked in a flavorful broth and tossed with Parmesan cheese for a creamy and delicious side. With its vibrant flavors and elegant presentation, this Chicken Piccata with Orzo is sure to impress your family and friends.
**Explore Variations and Side Dish Ideas:**
1. **Chicken Piccata with Angel Hair Pasta:** For a lighter and more delicate pasta option, try this variation with angel hair pasta. The thin strands of pasta will soak up the flavorful sauce perfectly.
2. **Chicken Piccata with Roasted Vegetables:** Add a colorful and healthy twist to your meal with roasted vegetables. Roast your favorite vegetables, such as broccoli, carrots, and zucchini, and serve them alongside the chicken and orzo.
3. **Chicken Piccata with Creamy Polenta:** For a richer and more indulgent side dish, try serving your chicken piccata with creamy polenta. The creamy texture of the polenta will complement the tangy sauce and crispy chicken.
4. **Chicken Piccata with Mushroom Risotto:** Create a luxurious and flavorful meal by pairing your chicken piccata with mushroom risotto. The earthy flavors of the mushrooms will add depth and richness to the dish.
5. **Chicken Piccata with Spinach Salad:** For a lighter and healthier side dish, serve your chicken piccata with a refreshing spinach salad. The bright and tangy flavors of the salad will balance the richness of the chicken and sauce.
CHICKEN PICCATA WITH ORZO
Steps:
- 1. Cook orzo according to package directions. Drain. Stir in lemon rind. 2. While orzo cooks, heat a large skillet over medium high-heat. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Add oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add chicken; cook 3 minutes on each side or until done. Remove from pan; keep warm. Add wine; cook 1 minute or until liquid almost evaporates, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Add broth and lemon juice; bring to a boil. Add broth and lemon juice; bring to a boil. Cook 2 minutes or until reduced to 1/2 cup. Remove from heat; add butter, stirring until butter melts. Stir in parsley and capers. Serve over orzo.
LEMON CHICKEN WITH ORZO
Here's a dish that's light and summery but still filling. My kids love all the veggies...for real! If you like a lot of lemon, stir in an extra splash of lemon juice just before serving. -Shannon Humphrey, Hampton, Virginia
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 40m
Yield 4 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- In a shallow bowl, mix flour and garlic powder. Cut chicken into 1-1/2-in. pieces; pound each with a meat mallet to 1/4-in. thickness. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper. Dip both sides of chicken in flour mixture to coat lightly; shake off excess., In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add chicken; cook 3-4 minutes on each side or until golden brown and chicken is no longer pink. Remove from pan; keep warm. Wipe skillet clean., In same pan, bring broth to a boil; stir in orzo. Return to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, 8-10 minutes or until tender. Stir in spinach, tomatoes, lemon juice, basil and remaining salt; remove from heat. Return chicken to pan. If desired, serve with lemon wedges.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 399 calories, Fat 11g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 63mg cholesterol, Sodium 807mg sodium, Carbohydrate 43g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 9g fiber), Protein 32g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
CHICKEN PICCATA
Chicken piccata is an Italian-American staple beloved for its piquant flavors cradled in a silky, butter-rich pan sauce. It also doesn't hurt that it cooks up very quickly. This version is mostly traditional except that it uses lemon two ways, calling for lemon slices to be caramelized (to soften their tang) and for a hit of fresh juice at the end (to brighten the whole dish). This ensures a sauce that's neither too rich, nor too puckery. Serve with a starch - pasta, polenta, rice or white beans - for sopping up the sauce, and a green vegetable.
Provided by Ali Slagle
Categories dinner, easy, weekday, poultry, main course
Time 25m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Season both sides of the chicken with salt and pepper. Dredge the chicken in flour and shake off any excess.
- In a large skillet, heat 3 tablespoons butter and the olive oil over medium-high heat until the butter has melted. Working in batches to avoid crowding the pan, add the chicken and sauté until golden brown and cooked through, about 3 minutes per side.
- Remove the chicken, place on a plate and repeat with the remaining pieces, adding more olive oil if needed.
- Once the chicken is cooked, add the shallot and lemon slices to the pan and sauté, stirring occasionally, until lightly caramelized and fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the stock and simmer until reduced by half, about 3 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to low, then stir in the remaining 3 tablespoons butter, capers and lemon juice, to taste. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve the chicken with the sauce poured over the top. Garnish with parsley if desired.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 489, UnsaturatedFat 16 grams, Carbohydrate 8 grams, Fat 33 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 41 grams, SaturatedFat 13 grams, Sodium 655 milligrams, Sugar 2 grams, TransFat 1 gram
LOW FAT CHICKEN PICCATA WITH ORZO
Make and share this Low Fat Chicken Piccata With Orzo recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Lynn S.
Categories Chicken Breast
Time 55m
Yield 4 , 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Ina large pot of boiling water, cook the orzo until just tender. Drain well.
- Meanwhile, on a sheet of waxed paper, combine the flour, salt and pepper. Dredge the chicken in the flour mixture, shaking off and reserving the excess. Thinly slice the lemon half and set the slices aside. In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the lemon juice, wine, broth, and reserved flour mixture and shake until smooth.
- In a large skillet, heat the oil until hot but not smoking over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook until lightly browned, about 2 mintues per side. Add the garlic and mushrooms and cook, stirring frequently, until the mushrooms are slightly softened, about 2 minutes.
- Shake the lemon juice mixture and add it to the pan, stirring to combine. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook until the chicken is cooked through, about 5 minutes. Add the lemon slices and cook for 1 minute. Divide the orzo among 4 plates and spoon the chicken mixture on top. Sprinkle with the capers and parsley (if using) and serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 430.3, Fat 12, SaturatedFat 2.8, Cholesterol 82.3, Sodium 371.6, Carbohydrate 39.2, Fiber 2.7, Sugar 2, Protein 37.4
Tips:
- To save time, use pre-cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken.
- If you don't have dry white wine, you can substitute chicken broth or water.
- Add a squeeze of lemon juice at the end of cooking to brighten up the flavors.
- Serve chicken piccata over orzo, rice, or pasta.
- Garnish with fresh parsley or basil before serving.
Conclusion:
Chicken piccata with orzo is a delicious and easy-to-make meal that is perfect for a weeknight dinner. The combination of tender chicken, tangy lemon sauce, and fluffy orzo is sure to please everyone at the table. So next time you're looking for a quick and flavorful meal, give this chicken piccata recipe a try!
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