# What You Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 1 tsp salt
03 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
04 - 1/2 tsp dried Italian herbs
05 - 2 tbsp olive oil
→ Vegetables & Aromatics
06 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
08 - 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and sliced
09 - 2 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped
→ Orzo & Sauce
10 - 1 cup orzo pasta
11 - 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
12 - 1 cup heavy cream
13 - 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
14 - 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
→ Garnish
15 - Fresh basil leaves, for serving
16 - Extra Parmesan cheese, for serving
# Directions:
01 - Season the chicken pieces evenly with salt, pepper, and dried Italian herbs, coating all sides thoroughly.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and sauté until golden brown and cooked through, approximately 5–7 minutes. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
03 - In the same skillet, add the diced onion and sauté for 2 minutes until softened and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
04 - Stir in the sliced sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another minute to release their oils and intensify their flavor.
05 - Add the orzo pasta to the skillet and stir well to coat with the oil and aromatics, toasting slightly for about 1 minute.
06 - Pour in the chicken broth and stir thoroughly, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan to incorporate the fond into the sauce. Reduce heat to medium-low.
07 - Add the heavy cream and return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, for 8–10 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and the sauce has thickened to a creamy consistency.
08 - Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and chopped spinach. Cook for 2–3 minutes, until the spinach wilts completely and the cheese is melted and incorporated. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of additional broth or water to reach desired consistency.
09 - Taste the dish and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes if a spicy kick is desired. Serve hot, garnished generously with fresh basil leaves and extra Parmesan cheese.
