This dish is easy to cook, requires only one large pan and a baking sheet, and best of all, it’s a crowd-pleaser. Even our finicky older child who eats about two things said she’d eat it again — we’ll take that as a win.

Ingredients

Chicken

• 2 chicken breasts, cut into strips
• 1/2 tbsp garlic salt
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/2 tsp oregano
• 1/2 tsp italian seasoning
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Orzo

• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 tbsp. butter
• 1/2 onion, chopped finely (you can use whatever kind of onion you like, or shallots)
• 1.5 tbsp minced garlic
• 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 cups orzo
• 2 1/2 cups vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Process

1. Marinate the chicken: put the chicken, olive oil, garlic salt, italian seasoning, oregano, and red pepper flakes into a large bowl and mix well. Cover and let sit for about an hour.
2. While the chicken marinates, measure out and line up the ingredients for the orzo.
3. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
4. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Spray generously with cooking spray. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for about two minutes per side.
5. Put the chicken onto a baking sheet and put in the oven to finish while you cook the orzo.
6. In the same pan you cooked the chicken in, over medium heat, put the 2 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp of butter.
7. Once the butter is melted, add the onion and garlic. Saute until the onions are translucent. Add the red pepper flakes.
8. Add the orzo to the pan and keep it moving with a wooden spoon. You want to toast the orzo and mix it up with the butter, oil, onions, and garlic. This will take no more than 1-2 minutes. Keep it moving with a wooden spoon so the orzo doesn’t burn.
9. Add the broth to the pan and stir to combine. Increase the heat to medium-high.
10. Once the mix is boiling, turn the heat to low.
11. Simmer for 10-15 minutes until the orzo is tender and has absorbed most of the broth.
12. Add the cream and parmesan to the pan and stir until combined. Turn the heat off.
13. Remove the chicken from the oven. Plate a few strips of chicken and cover them with a generous spoonful of orzo.
14. Serve and enjoy!