Balsamic Bliss Easy Chicken Veggie Orzo

Recipe Introduction: Balsamic Bliss Awaits!

Ever get that craving for something super tasty but dead easy? Honestly, that's where this Easy Balsamic Chicken & Veggie Orzo recipe comes in! It's packed with flavor and requires minimal effort.

This is gonna be good, I promise!

Quick Hook

Got 35 minutes? Then you've got time to whip up this Easy Balsamic Chicken & Veggie Orzo . This dish hits all the right notes with its sweet, tangy, and savory goodness.

Let's make it a Healthy Balsamic Chicken Dinner

Balsamic Magic

This Mediterranean inspired dish is pure comfort food. It's a simple One-Pan Chicken and Veggie Orzo bake that celebrates fresh, vibrant ingredients.

Ready in under an hour? Perfect for a busy weeknight, it yields about 4 servings.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Balsamic Glazed Chicken & veggie combo is a winner for so many reasons. Chicken provides lean protein. The colorful veggies boast tons of vitamins.

Plus, it’s all cooked in one pan! Serving up goodness is as easy as pie! This Mediterranean Chicken Recipe makes it special and you will want to make it over and over!

Alright, Let's Whip Up This Beauty!

So, what makes this recipe special? Well, first, the Balsamic Marinade is seriously addictive. Second, it's a complete meal in one pan.

What is better than that? I love creating Orzo Dishes that I can make with all my favorite ingredients!

Let's Talk Ingredients

Right, so what do we need? Get your notepad ready and let's dive into what goes into making the most delicious Balsamic Chicken and veggie Orzo you've ever tasted! Honestly, you probably have most of this stuff in your cupboard already, so Easy Weeknight Dinner Recipes don't get much simpler than this!

What you'll need

You'll need a good splash of olive oil, about 1 tablespoon. 1.5 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite sized pieces are perfect.

Don't forget a red and yellow bell pepper, a red onion, 2 cups of broccoli florets and 2 cloves of garlic.

Half a teaspoon of salt and a quarter teaspoon of black pepper will do the trick. Get 1 teaspoon of dried Italian seasoning for flavour.

And of course, don’t forget 1 cup of orzo!

Pro tip: Don’t be scared to swap the veggies for your favorites. Courgettes work wonders!

Alright, let's whip up a storm worthy of Gordon Ramsay! Here's the breakdown for our Easy Balsamic Chicken & Veggie Orzo , including the ingredients and equipment.

This recipe is all about keeping things simple and delicious, so no fancy pants gadgets are required. You know? Just the essentials.

Ingredients & Equipment for Balsamic Bliss

So, you are ready to make balsamic chicken at home. Let's get that sorted out. Here’s the lowdown on what you'll need.

This one-pan chicken and veggie orzo is seriously yummy, and with a great balsamic marinade . Trust me.

Main Ingredients - The Heart of the Mediterranean Chicken Recipe

• Olive oil: 1 tablespoon (15 ml) . Go for extra virgin. It really makes a difference.
• Chicken breasts: 1.5 pounds (680g) , boneless and skinless, cut into 1 inch pieces. Fresh is best, naturally.
• Bell peppers: 1 red and 1 yellow , chopped.
• Red onion: 1 , chopped. Adds that nice little bite!
• Broccoli florets: 2 cups (about 200g) .
• Garlic: 2 cloves , minced. I add an extra clove, cause why not?
• Italian seasoning: 1 teaspoon (5ml) .
• Salt: ½ teaspoon (2.5ml) .
• Black pepper: ¼ teaspoon (1.25ml) .

For the balsamic glaze :

• Balsamic vinegar: 1/2 cup (120ml) . Splurge on the good stuff. I learned that the hard way!.
• Honey: 2 tablespoons (30ml) .
• Dijon mustard: 1 tablespoon (15ml) .

For the orzo :

• Orzo pasta: 1 cup (200g) . I love this orzo because it is so easy to make orzo dishes .
• Chicken broth: 2 cups (475ml) .

Seasoning Notes Flavor Bombs Away

For this healthy balsamic chicken dinner , Italian seasoning is key. It's an essential spice combination in this Chicken Orzo Bake .

You can sub with a mix of dried oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary if you're feeling fancy. A pinch of red pepper flakes will also add a subtle heat.

Balsamic Glazed Chicken is awesome with these.

Equipment Needed Keepin' it Simple

• Oven safe skillet: I prefer cast iron, but stainless steel works too. Make sure it is large enough !
• Cutting board and chef's knife.
• Measuring cups and spoons. Obvious, right?.
• Whisk. Oh my gosh! That's all you need for this easy weeknight dinner recipes . If you don't have an oven safe skillet, use a regular skillet to sear the chicken, and then transfer everything to a baking dish.

Trust me, once you try this Easy Balsamic Chicken & Veggie Orzo , it'll become a staple. I made it last week, and my kids devoured it!. It is so good.

Balsamic Bliss: Easy Chicken & Veggie Orzo

Alright, let's whip up some magic in the kitchen! We're tackling Easy Balsamic Chicken & Veggie Orzo. Honestly, this is one of those easy weeknight dinner recipes that's so good, it feels like you've been slaving away all day.

Nope! It’s a one-pan chicken and veggie orzo dream come true. My family goes crazy for it. Trust me, it's a winner.

Prep Steps: Your Mise en Place Mission

First things first, let's get organized. Chop your 1 red bell pepper , 1 yellow bell pepper , 1 red onion , and your 2 cups of broccoli florets .

Mince those 2 cloves of garlic , too. Cut 1.5 pounds of chicken breasts into bite sized pieces. Get your Italian seasoning , salt, pepper, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon, orzo, and chicken broth all lined up and ready to roll.

Time saving tip : I sometimes chop the veggies the night before. Seriously, it saves so much time later!

step-by-step: From "Uh Oh" to "Oh Yeah!"

1. Preheat your oven to 400° F ( 200° C) . Get that skillet ready!
2. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in an oven safe skillet over medium high heat. Sear the chicken on all sides. Aim for light browning.
3. Add the chopped bell peppers, red onion, and broccoli. Cook for about 5 minutes , stirring until they start to soften.
4. Stir in the minced garlic, 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning , ½ teaspoon of salt , and ¼ teaspoon of black pepper . Cook for another minute. You want that garlicky aroma to fill your kitchen.
5. In a small bowl, whisk together ½ cup of balsamic vinegar , 2 tablespoons of honey , and 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard . This is your balsamic marinade !
6. Stir 1 cup of orzo pasta and 2 cups of chicken broth into the skillet.
7. Pour the balsamic glaze evenly over the chicken and veggies.
8. Bake for 20- 25 minutes , until the orzo is cooked and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165° F ( 74° C) . I use a meat thermometer to be sure.

Pro Tips: Level Up Your Orzo Game

• Don't overcrowd the pan when searing the chicken. Do it in batches if you have to. Trust me on this one!
• Stir the orzo halfway through baking to prevent it from sticking.
• For an extra punch of flavour, try adding some sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet. Mediterranean chicken recipe coming right up!

Alright, let's talk variations! Balsamic glazed chicken is incredible, but you can also try different veggies. Zucchini or asparagus would be fantastic.

You could also experiment with adding some feta cheese. This healthy balsamic chicken dinner is incredibly customizable!

The best part? This Chicken Orzo Bake is so easy, it practically makes itself. Okay, maybe not actually , but you get the idea.

Now, go forth and conquer that kitchen! I promise this recipe will become a staple. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes: The Secret Sauce to Success

Alright, so you're ready to dive into making this Easy Balsamic Chicken & Veggie masterpiece, huh? Amazing! But before you do, let's chat about a few things that'll make your experience even better.

Honestly, these are the little secrets I wish I knew before I started making this dish! I'm not pulling your leg.

Serving Suggestions: Let's Get Fancy (or Not!)

Plating and Presentation Ideas: Okay, so presentation isn't everything , but it definitely makes a difference! I love piling the Balsamic Chicken and veggies high on a plate, then drizzling extra Balsamic Glazed Chicken sauce over the top.

A sprinkle of fresh basil or a dollop of creamy ricotta cheese takes it to the next level. Seriously, it's like restaurant quality.

Complementary Sides or Beverages: This One-Pan Chicken and Veggie Orzo is pretty hearty on its own, but a simple side salad always hits the spot.

A light vinaigrette complements the Balsamic Marinade perfectly. As for drinks, a crisp white wine or even just a sparkling water with lemon would be fab.

You know?

Storage Tips: Keeping it Fresh

Refrigeration Guidelines: Got leftovers? Lucky you! Store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They'll be good for about 3-4 days.

Just make sure the Chicken Orzo Bake is completely cooled down before you pop it in there.

Freezing Options (if applicable): Now, freezing this dish is possible, but the orzo might get a little mushy when you reheat it.

If you're gonna freeze it, I recommend slightly undercooking the orzo initially. Store it in a freezer safe container for up to 2 months.

Reheating Instructions: To reheat, you can either microwave it (easy peasy!) or warm it up in a skillet over medium heat. If it seems dry, add a splash of chicken broth.

Variations: Your Kitchen, Your Rules!

Dietary Adaptations: Want to make this gluten-free? No problem! Just swap out the regular orzo for gluten-free orzo. For a dairy-free version, skip the parmesan cheese garnish. Easy!

Seasonal Ingredient Swaps: Feel free to mix up the veggies based on what's in season! Asparagus in the spring, zucchini in the summer, butternut squash in the fall… the possibilities are endless! Consider the Mediterranean Chicken Recipe which is very versatile.

Nutrition Basics: Feel Good Food

This Healthy Balsamic Chicken Dinner is packed with protein from the chicken, fibre from the veggies, and complex carbohydrates from the Orzo .

Honestly, it's a pretty well balanced meal! Just remember that the Balsamic Glazed Chicken glaze does contain some sugar, so moderation is key.

Alright, you've got all the insider tips! Now go forth and conquer this Easy Balsamic Chicken & Veggie recipe! I know you'll nail it.

Seriously. Don't forget to check out my other Easy Weeknight Dinner Recipes . Happy cooking!