Chicken Orzo Dinner

Chicken Orzo Dinner

with Cheesy Roasted Zucchini and Tomato

Yield: 2

Adapted from: Hello Fresh

Zucchini and tomato medley is a side, but it takes center stage in our eyes. As creamy as it is crispy, with a combination of panko, mozzarella, and Parmesan sprinkled on top. Served next to an herbed chicken breast and lemony orzo
Prep: 5 Cook: 30

  • 1zucchini
  • 1Roma tomato
  • 1TBS Italian seasoning
  • 4oz orzo pasta
  • 12oz chicken breasts
  • 4oz fresh mozzarella
  • 1lemon
  • ¼oz parsley
  • ¼cup panko breadcrumbs
  • ¼cup parmesan cheese
  • salt & pepper
  • 1tsp olive oil


Preheat and prep:

Wash and dry all produce. Adjust rack to upper position and preheat oven to 425°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Slice zucchini into ¼-inch-thick rounds. Cut tomato into ½-inch-thick wedges. Toss zucchini and tomato with 1 TBS olive oil and half the Italian seasoning on a baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper.

Roast veggies and cook pasta:

Roast zucchini and tomato in oven until just shy of tender, about 10 minutes. Once water is boiling, add half the orzo from package to pot (use the rest as you like). Cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, 9-11 minutes. Drain, then return to pot.

Butterfly chicken:

With your hand on top of one chicken breast, cut ¾ of the way through middle, parallel to cutting board, stopping before you slice through completely. Repeat with other chicken breast. Open each up and season all over with salt, pepper, and remaining Italian seasoning.

Cook chicken and prep:

Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until no longer pink in center, 3- to 4-minutes per side. Remove from pan and set aside on a plate. Meanwhile, cut mozzarella into ½-inch cubes. Halve lemon. Roughly chop parsley.

Broil veggies:

Once veggies have roasted 10 minutes, remove baking sheet from oven. Heat broiler to high or increase oven temperature to 500°F. Sprinkle veggies with panko, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Broil (or bake) until panko is golden-brown, cheese is melted, and veggies are tender, 3- to 5-minutes.

Finish and plate:

Add juice from one lemon half and half the parsley to pot with orzo and toss to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Divide orzo between plates. Top with veggies and chicken. Drizzle with any chicken juices from plate and a squeeze of lemon. Garnish with remaining parsley and serve.

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