Orzo Tuscan Chicken Bake (Print)
Creamy orzo, savory chicken, spinach, and cherry tomatoes unite in a cozy, one-pan Tuscan-inspired dinner.
# Ingredients:
→ Main Ingredients
01 -
450 g dry orzo pasta
02 -
400 g cooked chicken, diced or shredded
03 -
720 ml unsalted chicken stock
04 -
240 ml heavy cream
05 -
5 garlic cloves, minced
06 -
45 g parmesan cheese, grated
07 -
170 g mozzarella cheese, shredded
08 -
90 g baby spinach leaves, roughly chopped
09 -
300 g cherry tomatoes, whole or halved
10 -
Juice of ½ lemon
→ Seasonings
11 -
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
12 -
0.5 teaspoon fine sea salt, or to taste
13 -
1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
14 -
0.5 teaspoon garlic powder (optional, if not using fresh garlic)
# Steps:
01 -
Preheat oven to 190°C. Lightly grease a 22×33 cm casserole dish with non-stick spray to prevent sticking.
02 -
Add dry orzo, cooked chicken, chicken stock, heavy cream, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, chopped spinach, cherry tomatoes, lemon juice, half the parmesan and half the mozzarella cheese to the casserole dish. Stir thoroughly to ensure even distribution and submerge the orzo in the liquid.
03 -
Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese evenly over the surface.
04 -
Bake uncovered for 40 minutes until the orzo is tender and the cheese is golden and bubbling. If the casserole is still liquid, allow it to rest for 10 minutes to absorb excess moisture.
05 -
Let the bake stand for 10 minutes, then gently stir before serving. Enjoy hot, paired with a side salad or vegetables as desired.
# Notes:
01 -
For a vegetarian adaptation, omit chicken and add mushrooms, zucchini, artichoke hearts, or white beans for extra protein.
02 -
Experiment with alternate cheeses such as gouda, cheddar, provolone, or fontina to vary flavor and texture.
03 -
To make this dish gluten-free, substitute the orzo with your preferred gluten-free pasta – adjust liquid and cooking time as needed.
04 -
If using frozen spinach, ensure it is thoroughly thawed and squeezed dry to avoid excess water in the bake.