One Pot Caprese Chicken with Orzo

Ingredients

• 1 shallot (large, diced)
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 2 lb chicken thighs (boneless skinless, patted dry)
• salt (to taste)
• black pepper (to taste)
• Italian seasoning (to taste)
• 1 tbsp olive oil (for searing)
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1.5 cup dried orzo
• 3 cup chicken broth
• 1 tomato (thinly sliced for topping)
• 8 oz fresh mozzarella (sliced and some ripped into pieces)
• fresh basil (cut into ribbons (chiffonade) for garnish)
• balsamic glaze (for drizzling)

Steps

1. 1

   Dice one large shallot and cut one pint of cherry tomatoes in half.

2. 2

   Pat two pounds of chicken thighs dry and season them generously with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.

3. 3

   Heat a deep, oven-safe pan over medium-high heat and drizzle in a little olive oil.

4. 4

   Once the pan is hot, sear the chicken for 3 to 4 minutes per side until browned, then remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.

5. 5

   Lower the heat, leaving the rendered fat in the pan, and add the diced shallot. Sauté until translucent.

6. 6

   Add four cloves of minced garlic and sauté just until fragrant.

7. 7

   Add the halved cherry tomatoes and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until they soften and begin to release their juices.

8. 8

   Add 1.5 cups of dried orzo to the pan and stir for 1 to 2 minutes to toast the grains.

9. 9

   Pour in 3 cups of chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

10. 10

    Nestle the seared chicken back into the pan, pouring in any juices that collected on the plate.

11. 11

    Cover with a lid and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.

12. 12

    Remove the lid. Place a thin slice of tomato on top of each piece of chicken, then top each with a slice of mozzarella. Scatter remaining ripped mozzarella throughout the orzo.

13. 13

    Place the pan under the broiler on high for 2 to 3 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.

14. 14

    Garnish with fresh basil ribbons and a drizzle of balsamic glaze before serving.

Notes

To quickly halve cherry tomatoes, place them on a flat surface, cover them with a Tupperware lid, and run your knife horizontally through the gap between the lid and the surface. Ensure your pan is oven-safe before placing it under the broiler.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• one-pot
• chicken
• orzo
• caprese
• easy
• summer
• dinner