Marry me chicken & orzo

35 mins
Serves 4
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/marry-me-chicken-orzo

Directions

  1. 1Heat the oil and butter in a large pan or casserole dish over a medium heat.
  2. 2Heat the oil and butter in a large pan or casserole dish over a medium heat.
  3. 3Heat the oil and butter in a large pan or casserole dish over a medium heat.
  4. 4When the butter is sizzling, add the chicken breast and fry for 10-12 mins until browned on all sides.
  5. 5When the butter is sizzling, add the chicken breast and fry for 10-12 mins until browned on all sides.
  6. 6When the butter is sizzling, add the chicken breast and fry for 10-12 mins until browned on all sides.
  7. 7Sprinkle the paprika, oregano and chilli over the chicken, then stir in the thyme, garlic and tomato paste and cook for 2 mins.
  8. 8Sprinkle the paprika, oregano and chilli over the chicken, then stir in the thyme, garlic and tomato paste and cook for 2 mins.
  9. 9Sprinkle the paprika, oregano and chilli over the chicken, then stir in the thyme, garlic and tomato paste and cook for 2 mins.
  10. 10Add the orzo to the pan, crumble in the stock cube and pour in 650ml hot water from the kettle.
  11. 11Add the orzo to the pan, crumble in the stock cube and pour in 650ml hot water from the kettle.
  12. 12Add the orzo to the pan, crumble in the stock cube and pour in 650ml hot water from the kettle.
  13. 13Cook for 12 mins, covered, stirring regularly until the orzo is almost tender. Add a splash of water if needed.
  14. 14Cook for 12 mins, covered, stirring regularly until the orzo is almost tender. Add a splash of water if needed.
  15. 15Cook for 12 mins, covered, stirring regularly until the orzo is almost tender. Add a splash of water if needed.
  16. 16Stir in the spinach, lemon zest and juice, the mascarpone and parmesan.
  17. 17Stir in the spinach, lemon zest and juice, the mascarpone and parmesan.
  18. 18Stir in the spinach, lemon zest and juice, the mascarpone and parmesan.
  19. 19Season well and cook for another 2-3 mins until the orzo and chicken are cooked and the spinach has wilted.
  20. 20Season well and cook for another 2-3 mins until the orzo and chicken are cooked and the spinach has wilted.
  21. 21Season well and cook for another 2-3 mins until the orzo and chicken are cooked and the spinach has wilted.
  22. 22Scatter with basil and serve with extra parmesan grated over the top.
  23. 23Scatter with basil and serve with extra parmesan grated over the top.
  24. 24Scatter with basil and serve with extra parmesan grated over the top.

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • knob butter
  • knob butter
  • knob butter
  • 4 chicken breast fillets cut into small pieces
  • 4 chicken breast fillets cut into small pieces
  • 4 chicken breast fillets cut into small pieces
  • 2 tsp paprika
  • 2 tsp paprika
  • 2 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 0.5 tsp chilli flakes
  • 0.5 tsp chilli flakes
  • 0.5 tsp chilli flakes
  • 6 fresh thyme sprigs leaves picked
  • 6 fresh thyme sprigs leaves picked
  • 6 fresh thyme sprigs leaves picked
  • 4 garlic cloves crushed
  • 4 garlic cloves crushed
  • 4 garlic cloves crushed
  • 4 tbsp sundried tomato paste
  • 4 tbsp sundried tomato paste
  • 4 tbsp sundried tomato paste
  • 250 g orzo
  • 250 g orzo
  • 250 g orzo
  • 1 chicken stock cube
  • 1 chicken stock cube
  • 1 chicken stock cube
  • 160 g spinach
  • 160 g spinach
  • 160 g spinach
  • 1 lemon zested and juiced
  • 1 lemon zested and juiced
  • 1 lemon zested and juiced
  • 200 g mascarpone
  • 200 g mascarpone
  • 200 g mascarpone
  • 50 g parmesan grated plus extra to serve
  • 50 g parmesan grated plus extra to serve
  • 50 g parmesan grated plus extra to serve
  • handful basil leaves to serve
  • handful basil leaves to serve
  • handful basil leaves to serve

Equipment

large pancasserole dishkettle