ONE POT ITALIAN CHICKEN AND ORZO

ONE POT Italian Chicken and Orzo (and veggies!) in a creamy Parmesan tomato sauce on your table in just over 30 minutes and all made in one pot! From carlsbadcravings.com

• Ready In: 32 mins
• Serves: 6
• Yields: 6

Ingredients

• 1  lb chicken breast
• 1  tablespoon olive oil
• 3  tablespoons pesto sauce, divided
• 1⁄2 onion, chopped
• 1  cup  sliced carrot
• 1  cup zucchini, quartered
• 1  red bell pepper, chopped
• 1  cup  uncooked orzo pasta
• 2  garlic cloves, minced
• 14 1⁄2 ounces crushed tomatoes
• 2  cups low sodium chicken broth
• 1  teaspoon chicken bouillon
• 1⁄2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon pepper
• 1⁄4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1⁄2 cup  freshly grated parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Heat olive oil in a large NONSTICK pan over medium high heat until very hot. Toss chicken with 1 tablespoon pesto and add to pan along with onions, carrots and zucchini. Sauté for three minutes then add red bell pepper, orzo and garlic and cook an additional 2 minutes.
2. Stir in crushed tomatoes, 2 tablespoons pesto, chicken broth, chicken bouillon and seasonings. Bring to a simmer, cover and reduce heat to medium low. Simmer for 8-12 minutes, or until vegetables and orzo are tender, stirring every 5 minutes so the orzo doesn’t burn, covering pot after each stir.
3. Stir in Parmesan cheese. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper if desired. Garnish with fresh Parmesan and parsley (optional).