Tuscany Chicken And Orzo With Bean Dressing Food

ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• Pour the broth into a heavy large saucepan. Cover the pan and bring the broth to a boil over high heat. Stir in the orzo. Cover partially and cook until the orzo is tender but still firm to the bite, stirring frequently, about 7 minutes. Drain the orzo through a strainer. Transfer the orzo to a large wide bowl and toss until the orzo cools slightly. Set aside to cool completely.
• Toss the orzo with the beans, tomatoes, onion, basil, mint, and enough vinaigrette to coat. Season the salad, to taste, with salt and pepper, and serve at room temperature.
• Mix the vinegar, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper in a blender. With the machine running, gradually blend in the oil. Season the vinaigrette, to taste, with more salt and pepper, if desired.
• Yield: 1 3/4 cups

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.

GREEK CHICKEN AND ORZO

Steps:

• In a large skillet, heat broth, onion and oregano to a boil.
• Add the Orzo, reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 6 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add the chicken and cook 6 minutes longer or until chicken and pasta are cooked.
• Stir in the spinach, and heat just until the spinach wilts.
• Remove from heat and top with cheese.
• Serve immediately.

GORGONZOLA CHICKEN AND ORZO

Steps:

• Trim the fat from the chicken breasts, then cut into bite size pieces.
• Over medium-high heat, melt together the olive oil and butter in a large non-stick pan with high sides, then add the onion and sauté, stirring often, until just tender, about 3 minutes.
• Add the minced garlic and chicken pieces sauté until chicken is browned on all sides, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in the broth, orzo, lemon juice, oregano, basil, lemon zest, and pepper into to chicken mixture and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until pasta is to desired texture.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper, stir in the crumbled Gorgonzola, and serve.
• Goes well with a salad, crisp baby green beans, or asparagus.
• For a change of pace, try this recipe using cubed (boneless and skinless) turkey, duck, or even goose!
• A bit of proscuitto sauteed in with the chicken is good, too (not much, though - only about a tablespoon).

BAKED CHICKEN AND GARLIC ORZO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Spray large nonstick skillet with cooking spray.
• Heat over high heat until hot.
• Add chicken breast halves.
• Brown meat side down, 1 to 2 minutes or until lightly browned; set aside.
• Reduce heat to medium-high; add wine.
• Stir with a flat spatula, scraping brown bits from bottom of pan.
• Cook 30 seconds or until slightly reduced; set aside.
• Spray 9-inch square baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
• Add pasta, onions, garlic, parsley, oregano, chicken broth, water and wine mixture; stir.
• Place chicken breasts on top.
• Sprinkle lightly with paprika and lemon pepper.
• Bake, uncovered, 1 hour and 10 minutes.
• Remove chicken.
• Add salt and olive oil to baking pan; mix well.
• Place chicken on top.
• Serve.

CHICKEN AND ORZO SKILLET

Steps:

• Sprinkle chicken with garlic seasoning blend. In a large cast-iron or other heavy skillet, saute chicken and onion in oil until chicken is no longer pink, 5-6 minutes. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer., Stir in the tomatoes, spinach, broth, orzo, Italian seasoning and, if desired, pepper flakes. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Cover and simmer until orzo is tender and liquid is absorbed, 15-20 minutes. If desired, sprinkle with cheese.