This Italian Chicken Orzo Skillet is a delicious, comforting weeknight meal that is made with simple wholesome ingredients. It’s great for meal prepping because it reheats great, it’s quick to make, and can all be made in one pan. One pan meals have a very special place in my heart because I hate doing dishes lol. This dish will keep you nice and full for a couple of hours because it has a whopping 37 grams of protein! If you like the sound of this recipe, be sure to check out my Gluten Free, High Protein Lasagna Soup as well.
BE SURE TO SAVE THIS RECIPE TO YOUR FAVORITE PINTEREST BOARD FOR LATER!
Reasons to Love This Recipe
- Easy: It looks like an intricate soup, but it requires very minimal, simple ingredients and comes together in just 30 minutes start to finish.
- Macros/Nutritious: This soup is full of nourishing, wholesome ingredients. You get your veggies, carbs, and protein all in one delicious skillet!
Nutritional Benefits
- Chicken: Chicken is low in calories and high in protein! It is a good source of Vitamin B12 and choline, which is essential for brain development and function. It can help with weight management and decrease your chance of heart disease.
- Marinara: Marinara sauce is low in calories and full of nutrients & vitamins, including vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin K, and potassium. Tomatoes are also naturally rich in the antioxidant lycopene
- Orzo: Whole grain orzo is known to improve your metabolism due to its fiber content, relive fatigue due to it’s strong carbohydrate content. Compared to other pastas, orzo is higher in protein as well.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 large yellow onion, diced
- 1 pound cooked & shredded chicken breasts – – I used precooked & shredded chicken from my Trifecta meal prep plan
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 5 oz. baby spinach
- 24 oz. jarred marinara sauce
- 20 oz. water
- 1 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
- 12 oz. orzo
- 1/2 cup (60g) freshly grated mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
How To Make It
- Heat up the olive oil over medium high heat. Add the onion & garlic. Sauté for 2-3 minutes.
- Add the baby spinach and cook until wilted, mixing occasionally. This should only take a few minutes.
- Pour in the water and marinara sauce. Bring to a boil.
- Add the orzo pasta, cover with a lid, and cook until al dente. This should take about 12 minutes give or take on the brand you choose.
- Turn down heat. Stir in your cooked chicken, seasonings, and balsamic vinegar. Top with shredded cheese and allow to melt. Enjoy!
How To Store Leftovers
You can store your leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When you are ready to enjoy them again, just pop them in the microwave for a minute or so!
Check Me Out on Social Media
I post all my recipes on social media as well and you can stay up to date on what I am up to! Also, I love seeing people try my recipes! When make these, snap a picture, and share it to your socials. Tag @cookingkatielady and #cookingkatielady so I can admire your masterpiece and share with others!
Italian Chicken Orzo Skillet
This Italian Chicken Orzo Skillet is a delicious, comforting weeknight meal that is made with simple wholesome ingredients. It's great for meal prepping because it reheats great, it's quick to make, and can all be made in one pan. One pan meals have a very special place in my heart because I hate doing dishes lol. This dish will keep you nice and full for a couple of hours because it has a whopping 37 grams of protein!
Ingredients
Instructions
-
Heat up the olive oil over medium high heat. Add the onion & garlic. Sauté for 2-3 minutes.
-
Add the baby spinach and cook until wilted, mixing occasionally. This should only take a few minutes.
-
Pour in the water and marinara sauce. Bring to a boil.
-
Add the orzo pasta, cover with a lid, and cook until al dente. This should take about 12 minutes give or take on the brand you choose.
-
Turn down heat. Stir in your cooked chicken, seasonings, and balsamic vinegar. Top with shredded cheese and allow to melt. Enjoy!
Servings 6
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 465kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 12.4g20%
- Saturated Fat 4.2g22%
- Cholesterol 87.4mg30%
- Sodium 684mg29%
- Total Carbohydrate 53.6g18%
- Dietary Fiber 5.2g21%
- Sugars 8.2g
- Protein 37g74%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
Did you make this recipe?
The next time you make it, snap a picture, and share it to your socials. Tag @cookingkatielady and #cookingkatielady so I can admire your masterpiece and share with others!:)
Please note that my nutrition label is approximate and can have slight rounding.
