Creamy Pesto Chicken with Spinach and Orzo

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

This creamy pesto chicken spinach orzo dinner is a delightful one-pot meal that combines tender chicken, fresh spinach, and orzo pasta in a rich and flavorful pesto sauce. It’s perfect for a weeknight dinner when you want something quick and satisfying.

The recipe is simple to follow and can be prepared in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy evenings. You can easily adjust the ingredients to include your favorite vegetables or proteins.

Easy Creamy Pesto Chicken Spinach Orzo Dinner

This dish features juicy chicken breast cooked with orzo pasta and fresh spinach, all enveloped in a creamy pesto sauce. The recipe serves 4 people and takes about 30 minutes from start to finish.

Ingredients

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
1 cup orzo pasta
2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup pesto sauce
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Grated Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)

Instructions

Cook the Orzo: In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the orzo and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Sauté Chicken: In the same pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced chicken, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cook until the chicken is browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
Add Spinach: Stir in the chopped spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes.
Combine Ingredients: Pour in the heavy cream and pesto sauce, stirring to combine. Add the cooked orzo and mix until everything is well coated and heated through.
Serve: Divide the creamy pesto chicken spinach orzo dinner among plates and top with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.