Description
Indulge in a creamy and flavorful dish with this Creamy Parmesan Orzo with Chicken and Asparagus recipe. Tender chicken, al dente orzo pasta, and vibrant asparagus come together in a luscious Parmesan cream sauce, creating a satisfying meal perfect for any day of the week.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Orzo and Sauce:
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Asparagus:
- 1 bunch asparagus (trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces)
Garnish:
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet, season chicken, cook until browned. Set aside.
- Prepare Orzo: In the same skillet, toast orzo, add broth, simmer until absorbed.
- Add Asparagus and Sauce: Stir in asparagus, cream, Parmesan, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes. Cook until creamy.
- Combine and Serve: Add cooked chicken back to the pan, warm through. Garnish with parsley before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute half-and-half for heavy cream for a lighter version.
- Try adding lemon zest or juice for a fresh flavor.
- For extra flavor, sauté garlic with the chicken or orzo.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
