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+ servings

Pesto Chicken Orzo

  • Prep Time
    10 MINS
  • Cook Time
    1 HR 10 MINS
  • KCals 506
  • Carbs 54G
4 Servings

Ingredients

  • 8 skinless boneless chicken thighs visible fat removed (approx. 75g each)
  • 400 g cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 medium onion peeled and finely chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves peeled and crushed
  • 4 white mushrooms thickly sliced
  • 1 tsp garlic granules
  • 1 reduced-salt chicken stock cube made up with 500ml boiling water
  • 250 g dried orzo
  • 100 g fine green beans trimmed
  • 3 tbsp readymade reduced-fat green pesto
  • 10 g fresh basil leaves stalks removed and roughly torn
  • 30 g Parmesan cheese finely grated
  • salt and black pepper to taste
  • low-calorie cooking spray

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 220°C. Line a medium baking tray with foil and spray with low-calorie cooking spray. Place the tomato halves on the baking tray in a single layer, cut-side up.

  2. Spray the tomatoes with low-calorie cooking spray and season with salt and black pepper. Place in the preheated oven and roast for 15-20 minutes, until they have wrinkled a little and are starting to brown slightly around the edges. Remove from the oven and set aside. Lower the oven temperature to 180°C.

  3. While the tomatoes are roasting, season all sides of the chicken thighs with salt, black pepper and garlic granules. Spray a large ovenproof frying pan or casserole dish with low-calorie cooking spray and place over a medium heat. Add the chicken and seal on all sides for 4-5 minutes, until golden brown. Remove from the pan and set aside.

  4. Spray the pan again (no need to wash first), and add the onion, garlic and mushrooms. Cook for 5-8 minutes until the onion is softening and golden.

  5. Add 100ml of the chicken stock, stir and return the chicken to the pan. Cover with a tight-fitting lid or tight-fitting foil and place in the oven for 30 minutes.

  6. Remove from the oven and add the remaining stock, orzo and fine green beans. Stir well, then return to the oven (uncovered) for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through.

  7. Remove from the oven and stir in the pesto, roasted tomatoes, basil leaves and half of the Parmesan cheese. Season to taste. Sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan cheese and serve alone or with an accompaniment of your choice.