Description
This Monterey Chicken One Pan Orzo is a delicious, easy-to-make dinner featuring tender chicken breasts seared and baked with orzo pasta, fresh bell peppers, zucchini, and a flavorful barbecue sauce drizzle. Perfect for a hearty weeknight meal, this recipe combines sautéing and baking in one pan to save time and cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Cooking spray (nonstick)
Vegetables and Pasta
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup bell peppers, diced
- 1 cup zucchini, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Skillet: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly spray a large oven-safe skillet with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Season and Sear Chicken: Season the chicken breasts on both sides with salt and pepper. Place them in the skillet over medium-high heat and sear for about 5 minutes per side, until the chicken is golden brown.
- Sauté Vegetables and Garlic: Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside. Add the diced bell peppers, zucchini, and minced garlic to the same skillet. Sauté for about 3 minutes until the vegetables soften and the garlic becomes fragrant.
- Add Orzo and Broth: Stir the orzo pasta into the skillet with the vegetables, followed by the chicken broth. Return the chicken breasts to the skillet. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil on the stovetop. Cover the skillet with a lid or foil to prepare for baking.
- Bake in Oven: Transfer the covered skillet to the preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) and the orzo is tender and cooked through.
- Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven and serve the baked chicken and orzo hot, drizzled with ½ cup of barbecue sauce on top for added flavor.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked safely to 165°F (75°C).
- If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, you can transfer the contents to a baking dish before the oven step.
- You can substitute barbecue sauce with your favorite sauce or glaze for a different flavor profile.
- For extra freshness, garnish with chopped parsley or green onions before serving.
- Low-sodium broth helps control salt levels, but adjust seasoning to taste after cooking.
