Chicken Orzo

 

This is my recipe for Mediterranean Chicken Orzo. Marinating the chicken then frying produces wonderfully moist and delicious chicken. Orzo is pasta which looks very much like grains of rice, cooking it in a rich red wine tomato sauce gives the perfect accompaniment to the chicken. This recipe is quick, easy, tasty and healthy.

  

YouTube video recipe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TvQFGEXbfI

 

Daily Motion

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x37jls3_orzo-chicken_lifestyle 

 

 

What's needed

 

For the marinate

2 tablespoons good quality olive oil
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and black pepper
sprinkle of brown sugar

 

 

For the main dish

Orzo pasta (for 2)
Mini chicken breasts (for 2)
olive oil
One stick celery
A orange bell pepper
Two small red onions
A carrot
Approx. 400g of cherry tomatoes
3 cloves of garlic
500ml chicken stock
Small glass of red wine
teaspoon dried basil
teaspoon smoked paprika
2 teaspoons dried oregano
Juice of half a lemon

 

 

Preparation

1. In a large bowl mix 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon ground coriander, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, a little salt, black pepper and a small sprinkle of brown sugar.
2. Add the chicken and mix well, marinate for at least one hour.
3. Prepare the sauce base-finley chop an orange pepper, carrot, two small red onions, a stick of celery and three cloves garlic. Set aside in a bowl.
4. Wash approx. 400g of cherry tomatoes. Chop these in half and set aside.

 



 



 

Get cooking

1. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large deep pan.
2. On a medium heat fry the sauce base (from #3 in preparation) for several minutes until softened.
3. Next add 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon ground coriander, some cracked black pepper and a little salt. Fry for another minute.
4. Then add 1 teaspoon dried basil and two teaspoons of dried oregano. Stir and fry for a further minute.
5. Add a small glass of red wine followed by 500ml chicken stock. Simmer for a couple of minutes.
6. Weigh out orzo pasta for 2 persons and add to the pan. Stir through then simmer for 15-20 minutes until the orzo is cooked. It should retain a little bite, but not be undercooked.
7. In a separate pan fry the marinated chicken over a medium heat for approx. 5 minutes until cooked through. How long this takes depends upon the size of the chicken pieces, I used mini breasts which cook quickly, for diced thick breast it may take longer. Make sure not to overcook, if you think it looks ready you could cut into a piece to check.
8. Serve the chicken on a bed of the orzo.
9. Enjoy, subscribe and share.