Weeknight Winner: One Pot Chicken and Orzo With Tomatoes and Garlic (2024)

• 2 1/2 to 3 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, trimmed of excess fat

• 1 teaspoon salt, plus more for seasoningthe chicken

• 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil

• 1 teaspoon butter

• 2 cups (12 ounces or 340g) orzo pasta

• 1 1/2 cups chopped onion (about 1 medium onion)

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 1/4 cups chicken stock

• 3/4cup canned crushed tomatoes (including juices)

• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

1. Prep and saltthe chicken:

   Trim the chicken thighs of excess skin and fat. Sprinkle both sides with a little salt.

2. Brown the chicken thighs:

   Heat olive oil and melt butter on medium high heat in a large skillet (large enough to fit all of the chicken pieces) to coat the bottom of the pan. When the oil is hot, pat the chicken pieces dry on both sides with paper towels and place skin-side down in the pan. Let cook until the chicken has browned on one side, about 5 minutes.

   Then turn the chicken pieces over. Let cook until the chicken has browned on that side, about 4 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan, set aside.

   

   

3. Brown the orzo pasta, then add onions, garlic:

   Add the orzo pasta to the pan. Stir to coat and let the pasta brown. Once the orzo starts to brown, stir in the chopped onions.

   

   

   Reduce the heat to medium and let cook, stirring often for 2 to 3 minutes until the onions begin to soften. Add the minced garlic and cook a half minute more.

4. Stir togetherthe stock,tomatoes, salt, pepper:

   In a large measuring cup, stir together the chicken stock, crushed tomatoes, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and 1 teaspoon of salt.

5. Add back the chicken, and pour stock mixture over orzo:

   Place the chicken pieces skin-side up, on top of the orzo.

   

   

   Pour the stock tomato mixture over the orzo. Increase heat to medium high and let the stock in the pan come to a full boil.

   See Also

   40+ Best Chicken Breast Recipes

6. Cover and cook:

   Lower the heat to the lowest heat you need to maintain a bare simmer. Cover and let cook until the orzo has completely absorbed the liquid and the chicken is cooked through, about 10 to 12 minutes.

   Depending on the size of the chicken pieces, it may take longer for the chicken to cook through. Cook the chicken until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken (without hitting the bone) reads 165°F.

   What's the Temperature of Cooked Chicken?READ MORE:

   Remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes before serving.

   Taste for salt and pepper and add more if needed. Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley to serve.

   

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.