2Prepare a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
3Dry the chicken with a paper towel and use a sharp knife to cut it into cubes.
4Add the chicken to the large baking dish and coat it in the olive oil and seasonings. Be sure all the chicken pieces are coated.
5Add the fresh garlic, basil, and sun-dried tomatoes.
6Then add the cherry tomatoes and spinach.
7Top with the dry orzo and chicken broth.
8Add the Greek yogurt and whisk it into the chicken broth until it’s dissolved.
9Stir everything together with a wooden spoon.
10Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes or until the orzo is tender and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165℉ (75°C).
11Stir in the parmesan cheese when it comes out of the oven and give it a quick taste.
12Add more salt as needed then let it set for 10-15 minutes before serving.
Ingredients
1 lb chicken breasts or chicken thighs
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp salt
0.5 tsp black pepper
2 tsp Italian seasoning
0.5 tsp garlic powder
0.5 tsp paprika
0.25 c fresh basil, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 pint cherry tomatoes
0.5 c sun-dried tomatoes
3 c baby spinach
1.5 c orzo pasta, dry
3 c chicken broth or chicken stock
0.25 c Greek yogurt
1 c shredded parmesan cheese
Equipment
9x13 inch baking dishsharp knifewooden spoon
Tips
The sauce will be very liquidy when it first comes out of the oven. This is normal. It’ll thicken as it sets!
Most creamy pasta recipes use heavy cream. I like to replace it with Greek yogurt which is lower in saturated fats and provides protein and calcium. You still get a super creamy end result because the starch from the pasta releases while being cooked in the chicken broth.