Baked Chicken Orzo with Spinach and Parmesan

Ingredients

• 2 cup uncooked orzo
• 3.5 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1.5 lb chicken cutlets or thighs (Use cutlets or thighs; keep whole or cut into pieces. The author recommends adding more seasoning to the chicken before baking.)
• 1.5 cup spinach (The source gives a range of 1–2 cups; amount is to preference. May be placed on top for picky eaters or added before the chicken.)
• 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (More may be added on top when serving, if desired; amount not specified.)
• 2 garlic (Cloves, minced.)
• 2 tbsp lemon juice (More may be added when serving, if desired; amount not specified.)
• salt (To taste.)
• pepper (To taste.)
• Italian seasoning (To taste; the author suggests using more seasoning on the chicken.)
• paprika (Optional; the author adds it last. Amount not specified.)

Steps

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. 2

   Place the orzo, chicken broth, heavy whipping cream, minced garlic, and lemon juice in a 9 × 13-inch baking dish. Add the Parmesan and season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to taste.

3. 3

   Add the chicken cutlets or thighs, whole or cut into pieces. The author recommends seasoning the chicken more generously before adding it to the dish.

4. 4

   Add the spinach. For picky eaters, place it on top; otherwise, add it before the chicken.

5. 5

   Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour. The source specifies about 1 hour for whole chicken breasts and 45 minutes if the chicken is cut; it does not specify a separate time for cutlets or thighs.

6. 6

   Top with additional Parmesan, lemon juice, and paprika if desired. Serve with garlic bread.

Notes

The source says the full batch feeds a family of five and suggests halving each ingredient for a smaller portion. The baking directions give times for whole breasts or cut chicken; doneness cues and a specific timing for cutlets or thighs are not provided. Garlic bread is suggested as a side, but no recipe or quantity is given.

Nutrition per serving

• dinner
• main
• one-pan
• baked
• chicken
• family-friendly