Orzo With Chicken Red Pepper And Shiitakes Food

ORZO WITH CHICKEN, RED PEPPER, AND SHIITAKES

Steps:

• In a large nonsstick frying pan, heat 1 tablespoon oil over moderate heat. Season the chicken with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper. Put the chicken in the pan and cook for 5 minutes. Turn and cook until just done, about 5 minutes longer. Remove. When the chicken is cool enough to handle, cut the breasts crosswise into 1/4 inch slices.
• Heat 2 tablespoon oil in the same pan over moderately high heat. Put in the bell pepper, shiitakes, thyme, and 1/8 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring frequently until the mushrooms are golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring for 30 seconds longer. Remiove from the heat.
• In a large pot of boiling water, cook orzo according to package directions. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
• In the frying pan, combine the reserved pasta water with the goat cheese, milk, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Bring almost to a simmer over moderate heat, stirring until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add the orzo, chicken and 3 tablespoons of the parsley. Serve topped with remaining tablespoon parsley.

ORZO AND CHICKEN STUFFED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Spray inside of green, red, and yellow bell pepper halves with cooking spray; place on a baking sheet.
• Bake peppers in the preheated oven until slightly tender, about 10 minutes.
• Heat 1 tablespoon butter and 2 tablespoons oil in a skillet over medium heat; cook and stir 3 green onions and garlic until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Add chicken, black pepper, and cumin; cook until chicken is no longer pink in the center and juices run clear, 4 to 5 minutes. Add orzo and chicken broth; simmer until orzo is cooked through but firm to the bite and broth is absorbed, about 11 minutes. Spoon chicken-orzo mixture into the bell peppers; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted, about 7 minutes.
• Heat 1 teaspoon oil and 1 teaspoon butter in skillet; Cook and stir portobello mushrooms and remaining green onion until tender, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper. Spoon about 2 tablespoons mushroom mixture onto each stuffed bell pepper.

ORZO PUTTANESCA WITH CHICKEN

Steps:

• Season the chicken with 1/4 teaspoon each of the salt and black pepper.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add two pieces of the chicken to the skillet, then lower the heat to medium and cook until they are browned and nearly cooked through, 3 minutes per side, then transfer them to a plate. Repeat with another tablespoon of the oil and the remaining chicken, transferring it to the plate.
• Add the remaining tablespoon of oil to the skillet and lower the heat to medium. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until softened, 2 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 30 for seconds more. Add the tomatoes, olives, capers, oregano, red pepper flakes, and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of salt and cook until the mixture thickens slightly, 4 minutes.
• Add 2 1/4 cups of water to the pan and bring to a boil, then stir in the orzo. Return to a boil, then lower the heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, stirring frequently, until the orzo is nearly cooked, 10 minutes. Return the chicken and any accumulated juices to the pan, nestling it into the orzo mixture. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is cooked al dente and the chicken is cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes more.
• Serve the orzo topped with the chicken, a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, and fresh basil leaves.
• The chicken and orzo will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• SERVING SIZE: 1 1/4 cups pasta and sauce and 1 piece chicken
• PER SERVING: Calories 540; Total Fat 18 g (Sat Fat 3 g, Mono Fat 9 g, Poly Fat 2 g); Protein 43 g; Carb 52 g; Fiber 6 g; Cholesterol 110 mg; Sodium 680 mg; Total Sugar 15 g (Added Sugar 0 g)
• EXCELLENT SOURCE OF: fiber, iron, magnesium, manganese, niacin, pantothenic acid, phosphorous, potassium, protein, riboflavin, selenium, thiamine, vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin K
• GOOD SOURCE OF: calcium, copper, folate, zinc