Description
Juicy balsamic-glazed chicken paired with tender orzo, cherry tomatoes, and spinach — a tangy, savory Mediterranean-inspired meal that’s elegant enough for guests yet easy enough for weeknights.
Ingredients
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup orzo pasta
2 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp balsamic glaze (plus more for serving)
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
2 cups baby spinach
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Fresh basil, for garnish
Instructions
1. Cook orzo in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and sear chicken 5–6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove from pan and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, add another tbsp olive oil and sauté garlic for 30 seconds.
4. Add cherry tomatoes and cook until they start to blister.
5. Pour in balsamic vinegar and glaze, stirring to combine and create a glossy sauce.
6. Add spinach and stir until wilted, then toss in cooked orzo.
7. Slice chicken and return it to the pan, tossing everything gently to coat in the glaze.
8. Sprinkle with Parmesan and garnish with fresh basil. Drizzle with extra balsamic glaze before serving.
Notes
Use chicken thighs for extra juiciness.
Add roasted red peppers or olives for a deeper Mediterranean flair.
This dish tastes even better the next day — perfect for meal prep!
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: One Pan / Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 495
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: balsamic chicken orzo, Mediterranean chicken, balsamic glaze, healthy chicken dinner, one pan orzo