Chicken and Sun-Dried Tomato Orzo

Submitted by kitty.rock

"Sun-dried tomatoes and Romano cheese pack a flavorful punch along with the tantalizing aroma of fresh marjoram in this rustic Italian-inspired dish. Serve with sautéed fresh spinach or steamed broccolini.From EatingWell magazine, March/April 2008. Dietary Exchanges: 3 starch, 1 vegetable, 3 lean meat, 1/2 fat (3 Carbohydrate Servings)."

 

• Ready In: 45mins
• Ingredients: 14
• Yields: 0.5 cup servings
• Serves: 4-6

ingredients

• 226.79 g orzo pasta, preferably whole-wheat
• 236.59 ml water
• 118.29 ml chopped sun-dried tomato (not oil-packed)
• 1 plum tomato, diced
• 1 garlic clove, peeled
• 14.78 ml chopped fresh marjoram, divided
• 14.79 ml red wine vinegar
• 9.85 ml extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 14.79 ml extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 453.59-566.99 g chicken breast, boneless, skinless trimmed (about 4)
• 1.23 ml salt
• 1.23 ml fresh ground pepper
• 255.14 g package frozen artichoke hearts, thawed
• 118.29 ml finely shredded romano cheese, divided

directions

1. Cook orzo in a large saucepan of boiling water until just tender, 8 to 10 minutes or according to package directions. Drain and rinse.
2. Meanwhile, place 1 cup water, 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, plum tomato, garlic, 2 teaspoons marjoram, vinegar and 2 teaspoons oil in a blender. Blend until just a few chunks remain.
3. Season chicken with salt and pepper on both sides. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook, adjusting the heat as necessary to prevent burning, until golden outside and no longer pink in the middle, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate; tent with foil to keep warm.
4. Pour the tomato sauce into the pan and bring to a boil. Measure out 1/2 cup sauce to a small bowl. Add the remaining 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes to the pan along with the orzo, artichoke hearts and 6 tablespoons cheese. Cook, stirring, until heated through, 1 to 2 minutes. Divide among 4 plates.
5. Slice the chicken. Top each portion of pasta with sliced chicken, 2 tablespoons of the reserved tomato sauce and a sprinkling of the remaining cheese and marjoram.

Reviews

[gemini08]

Wonderful flavors, loved the marjoram with the dried tomatoes and artichokes! I planned ahead and roasted my own tomatoes and garlic for the sauce. I did use chicken stock instead of water but otherwise followed the recipe to a T. This came together in a jiffy, was light and flavorful, perfect for a weeknight. Made and reviewed for PAC Fall 2012