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Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion (finely diced, about 1 cup)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon zest
- ⅓ cup dry white wine
- 2–½ cups chicken broth (plus more as needed)
- ⅔ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch (increase to 2 teaspoons if very soupy)
- 2 cups shredded cooked/rotisserie chicken
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach
- ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- ½ (5.3-oz) block garlic herb boursin cheese (diced)
- 1 tablespoon cold butter (diced)
- 2–3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- salt & cracked black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare your ingredients in advance; a deep, lidded pan works best.
- Heat the olive oil in a medium pan over medium heat. Once hot, add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 6 minutes.
- Add minced garlic, Italian seasoning, uncooked orzo, and lemon zest to the pan. Sauté for 1-2 minutes while stirring constantly. Pour in the white wine and let it simmer for 1 minute.
- Add chicken broth to the pan. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and let it cook uncovered for about 10 minutes or until orzo is al dente, stirring occasionally. Gradually add more broth if needed, ensuring a saucy consistency.
- Once the orzo is cooked, reduce heat to medium-low. Whisk together the heavy cream and cornstarch, and stir it into the orzo. Next, add shredded chicken and fresh spinach. Heat until the spinach is wilted and the chicken is warmed through.
- Turn off the heat. Stir in the parmesan cheese, Boursin cheese, and cold butter. Cover and let it sit for 2-3 minutes. Uncover, stir in fresh lemon juice, and adjust texture with extra broth or cream if necessary. Taste and season with salt and pepper as preferred. Serve immediately.
Notes
For a lighter option, you can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a milk alternative.
Feel free to add more vegetables like peas or asparagus for extra nutrition.
This dish is best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Dishes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 628
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 812mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 63g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 130mg