Description
Prepare to be swept away by the irresistible flavors of the Orzo Tuscan Chicken Bake! This scrumptious casserole is a melting pot of creamy goodness, tender chicken, and a medley of Tuscan-inspired ingredients that will have your taste buds dancing with joy.
Ingredients
- 16 oz dry orzo
- 2 cups cooked chicken (rotisserie or sautéed diced chicken)
- 3 cups chicken stock (unsalted)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 2/3 cup grated or shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 3 cups loosely packed baby spinach leaves (or 8 oz frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well-drained)
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes (whole or halved)
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp salt (or more to taste)
- 1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- Optional: 1/2 tsp garlic powder (if not using fresh garlic)
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add the dry orzo. Cook the orzo for 5-6 minutes, until it’s just shy of al dente. Drain the orzo and set it aside.
3. In a large skillet, sauté the minced garlic over medium heat until fragrant, about 1 minute.
4. To the skillet with the sautéed garlic, add the chicken stock and heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a light simmer, then stir in the Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
5. In a large bowl, combine the cooked orzo, cooked chicken, spinach, cherry tomatoes, and the creamy sauce. Gently mix everything together until all the ingredients are evenly distributed.
6. Transfer the Orzo Tuscan Chicken Bake mixture to the prepared baking dish. Top it with the shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake the casserole uncovered for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
7. Once the Orzo Tuscan Chicken Bake is out of the oven, let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve the casserole hot, garnished with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or basil.
Notes
Cooking Tips:
1. Undercook the Orzo: Cook the orzo just shy of al dente, as it will continue to absorb liquid and soften further in the oven.
2. Sauté the Garlic: Sautéing the garlic before adding the other ingredients helps to release its natural oils and amplify the flavor.
3. Adjust Seasoning: Taste the sauce and adjust the salt, pepper, or Italian seasoning to your personal preference.
4. Don’t Overmix: Gently combine the ingredients in the bowl to avoid breaking down the orzo and chicken.
5. Bake Until Bubbly: The casserole is ready when the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbling.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 30
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 cups
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg