Mediterranean Artichoke Chicken With Orzo Food

ONE-PAN LEMON ORZO CHICKEN WITH ARTICHOKE HEARTS

Steps:

• Pat the chicken dry and season all over with salt and pepper.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet (oven-proof if you plan on broiling the dish at the end, see notes above.) When the oil is hot and shimmering, add the chicken to the pan and sear for 3 minutes side, or until nicely golden. Transfer to a plate.
• Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining 1/2 tablespoon oil to the skillet. Add the garlic and orzo and cook for 2 minutes, just to lightly toast the orzo.
• Add the artichoke hearts, herbs de Provence, and water or stock to the pan and bring to a boil over high heat. Lower the heat to a simmer, return the chicken thighs to the skillet, cover and cook 15 to 20 minutes. [Note: Times will vary depending on the kind of orzo you are using, the shape of the pan, the strength of your stovetop. My orzo (not whole wheat) consistently is cooked in 15 minutes or less, so just keep an eye on things.]
• Transfer chicken thighs to a board, and chop into cubes with a knife or shred with two forks. Return the chicken to the skillet. Add the lemon zest and juice. Add a few handfuls (about 1/2 cup) of parmesan and stir to combine. Taste. Adjust with salt and pepper to taste. Add the parsley and stir to combine.
• This is where I stop (see notes above). I find it delicious as it. BUT, if you want to take it a step further, sprinkle a layer of cheese (about 1/2 to 3/4 cup) over the top and broil for 3 to 4 minutes or until cheese is bubbling and lightly browned. Keep an eye on it!
• Serve immediately.

MEDITERRANEAN CHICKEN ORZO

Steps:

• In a 3- or 4-qt. slow cooker, combine the first 11 ingredients. Cook, covered, on low 4-5 hours or until chicken, pasta and vegetables are tender, adding orzo during the last 30 minutes of cooking.

CRISPY CHICKEN WITH LEMON ORZO

Steps:

• Combine the flour, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper in a shallow bowl. Remove the tenders on the underside of the chicken breasts and save for another use. (This makes the chicken breasts an even thickness so they cook evenly.) Heat the canola oil and 4 tablespoons of the butter together in a large (12-inch) cast-iron skillet over medium heat until the butter has melted and begins to sizzle.
• Dredge the chicken in the flour mixture and shake off any excess. Place the chicken, skin side down, in the skillet and cook over medium heat without moving for 12 minutes. With the chicken still skin side down, place the skillet in the oven and roast for 10 minutes.
• Return the skillet to the stovetop over medium heat (careful; the handle will be hot!). Turn the chicken skin side up, add the remaining 5 tablespoons of butter, and continue cooking for 3 to 5 minutes, until the butter is a nutty brown color and the chicken breasts are just cooked through (an instant-read thermometer will register 130 to 140 degrees F). Off the heat, sprinkle on the parsley.
• Divide the Lemon Orzo with Feta among four dinner plates. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and slice each breast crosswise in thick slices. Arrange one breast on each plate with the orzo. Spoon a few tablespoons of the brown butter over each chicken breast, squeeze on some lemon, and sprinkle with salt. Serve hot with a fresh wedge of lemon on each plate.
• In a large saucepan, bring 2 quarts of water to a boil. Add 2 teaspoons salt and the orzo. Return the water to a boil and simmer uncovered for 9 to 11 minutes, until the orzo is al dente. Drain.
• Transfer the orzo to a bowl and stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, dill, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Fold in the feta and serve hot.

ORZO WITH CHICKEN AND ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in pancetta, and cook until browned. Remove to paper towels.
• Pour 2 tablespoons olive oil into skillet. Stir in onion, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft and translucent. Increase heat to medium high, pour in white wine; cook about 3 minutes.
• Reduce heat to low, stir in chicken, artichoke hearts, and spinach. Cover, and cook to warm through.
• Meanwhile, bring a pot of salted water to boil. Add orzo pasta and cook until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain, and stir into chicken mixture.
• Stir pine nuts and balsamic vinegar into pasta.

MEDITERRANEAN LEMON CHICKEN WITH ARTICHOKES AND ORZO

Steps:

• 1. Cook the orzo according to package directions. Drain and transfer to a large bowl. Stir in olives. Keep warm.
• 2. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper. Spray a large nonstick skillet with nonstick spray and cook until browned. Transfer chicken to a plate.
• 3. Add the artichoke hearts, garlic, and oregano to the skillet. Cook, stirring constantly until fragrant. Return the chicken to the skillet and add the broth and lemon juice; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, until the chicken is cooked through, about 20 minutes.
• 4. Add chicken and artichoke mixture to pasta in large bowl. Serve with a smile!

ONE-POT MEDITERRANEAN CHICKEN

Steps:

• Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions, garlic, Italian seasoning, basil, and salt. Saute until it starts to brown, about 5 minutes.
• Add artichoke hearts, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, olives, and mushrooms; bring to a boil. Add chicken, cover, and reduce heat to medium. Cook, stirring occasionally, until chicken is cooked through and the juices run clear, about 20 to 25 minutes.

MEDITERRANEAN ARTICHOKE CHICKEN WITH ORZO

Steps:

• 1. Pound chicken breasts to flatten evenly. Season with pepper.
• 2. Drain artichoke hearts, set aside, save marinade.
• 3. Bring 1/4 cup marinade to boil in large skillet. Ad chicken and cook over medium heat until lightly browned.
• 4. Add artichokes, broth, pepper flakes, remaining marinade and orzo. Bring to boil, lower heat, cover and cook until chicken and orzo are done. Add lemon juice and capers. If too much liquid remains, boil another minute to reduce a bit OR add liquid if too dry!!
• 5. Serving idea: serve with steamed Italian (flat) green beans.

MEDITERRANEAN CHICKEN AND ARTICHOKE STIR FRY

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil (about 4-6 quarts). Add rice and boil for 30-40 minutes, or until rice is tender. Drain and set aside.
• Cut chicken into thin strips. Lightly season on cutting board with italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Mix chicken with tongs until meat is coated evenly with seasonings.
• In a large non-stick skillet heat 1/2 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until no longer pink in the center, about 5 minutes. Remove chicken to a plate and set aside.
• In the same skillet, heat remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons of oil over medium-high heat. Add green pepper and saute for 30 seconds; add onion and cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Next, add garlic, lemon juice, and artichoke hearts; cook and stir until artichoke is heated through.
• Stir in chicken, basil, and parsley. Serve over rice.