Creamy Chicken Orzo with Butternut Squash and Spinach
A hearty one-pot meal that combines tender chicken, creamy sauce, and wholesome vegetables, perfect for busy weeknights and family dinners.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 20
- Total Time: 30
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: One-Pot Cooking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: None
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast, diced
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 cups butternut squash, cubed
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Olive oil, for cooking
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Brown the chicken: In a large pot, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced chicken and cook until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from the pot and set aside.
- Sauté the aromatics: In the same pot, add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté for about 2-3 minutes until fragrant and the onion is translucent.
- Cook the butternut squash: Add the butternut squash to the pot and cook for roughly 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it starts to soften.
- Add orzo and broth: Stir in the orzo pasta and pour in the chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, for about 10 minutes until the orzo is al dente and the squash is tender.
- Combine chicken: Return the cooked chicken to the pot and mix thoroughly to combine with the orzo and squash.
- Stir in cream and spinach: Add the heavy cream and spinach, stirring until the spinach has wilted and the sauce is creamy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Season: Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve: Dish out the creamy chicken orzo hot, and enjoy!
Notes
For a dairy-free version, substitute the heavy cream with coconut milk. Adjust the seasoning according to personal preference.