One-Pan Creamy Chicken & Chorizo Orzo

Ingredients

• 150 g Dried orzo
• 60 g Spicy chorizo (Reserve a few cooked pieces for topping.)
• 400 ml Chicken stock
• 600 g Chicken thighs
• 1 Red bell pepper
• 1 Courgette
• 1 Onion
• 5 Garlic cloves
• 1 Red chilli
• 2 tbsp Smoked paprika (Included with the spices.)
• 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning (Included with the spices.)
• 100 g Lighter crème fraîche
• 20 g Lighter mozzarella (For topping; let it melt before serving.)
• 1 tsp Olive oil (Used to sauté the vegetables.)
• Salt and seasoning (Season well, to taste.)
• Water (Add if needed to loosen the creamy orzo.)
• Fresh parsley (For garnish.)

Steps

1. 1

   Heat the olive oil in a large pan. Add the onion, garlic, and red chilli, then sauté for 5–7 minutes until softened.

2. 2

   Add the chorizo, red bell pepper, and chicken to the pan.

3. 3

   Add the smoked paprika and Cajun seasoning, season well, and cook for a further 10–12 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked through.

4. 4

   Add the dried orzo and chicken stock to the pan.

5. 5

   Place the lid on the pan and cook for 15 minutes, until the orzo has absorbed the liquid.

6. 6

   Remove the lid and stir through the crème fraîche until the orzo is creamy. Add water if needed to loosen the consistency.

7. 7

   Top with the lighter mozzarella and a few cooked chorizo pieces. Let the mozzarella melt.

8. 8

   Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.

Notes

The author states that each serving contains approximately 545 calories and 41.5 g protein. The source does not specify the amount of parsley or water, nor does it provide a precise pan temperature. For food safety, ensure the chicken is fully cooked through before serving.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• one-pan
• high-protein
• chicken
• chorizo
• orzo
• creamy
• meal prep