Need a simple dinner that delivers taste however screams consolation? That is it.

A lovely one pan hen caprese orzo bake that turns the flavors of a contemporary caprese salad into a comfy, tacky baked pasta dinner. Each kiddos and adults will love the creamy pesto orzo, gooey mozzarella cheese topping, and candy balsamic glaze! 

I examined this recipe a couple of alternative ways first in order that I knew it was tremendous straightforward to make with easy elements. You’ll bake all the things up in below half-hour, and you’ll even add add further veggies should you’d like! Get this one in your dinner menu ASAP. It’s certain to change into a brand new favourite from yours really.

The whole lot you’ll have to make these caprese orzo bake

You’re going to like how straightforward and flavorful all the things on this dish comes collectively. Right here’s what you’ll have to make it:

• Rooster: we’re utilizing boneless skinless hen thighs for further taste on this recipe. They’re almost unattainable to overcook which makes them good for this recipe.
• Orzo: I really like how creamy and tender the orzo will get right here. You’ll first simmer it with garlic, a shallot, low-sodium hen broth, basil pesto, and lemon juice.
• Cherry tomatoes: gotta have contemporary tomatoes for the “caprese” a part of the dish! Cherry tomatoes will get good and jammy after baking with the orzo.
• For topping: you’ll add contemporary slices of mozzarella cheese (or shredded cheese works simply fantastic) as the ultimate step, after which garnish with a balsamic glaze and contemporary basil. SO GOOD.

Customise your caprese baked orzo

• Use your fav pesto: be happy to make use of a store-bought pesto for ease, or use the simple basil pesto from my cookbook!
• Decide your pasta: any brief pasta form ought to work nicely in right here (even pearl couscous!)
• Add a lift of veggies: add some greens to this recipe by stirring in about 2 to 4 cups of spinach with the garlic till wilted.

Can I make it gluten-free or dairy-free?

• To make gluten-free: use gluten-free orzo or rice. If utilizing rice, I counsel utilizing 1 1/2 to 2 cups of rinsed, raw white rice. Sadly, brown rice will take too lengthy to cook dinner.
• To make dairy-free: skip the mozzarella topping or add your favourite dairy-free cheese on high! Then you should definitely use a dairy-free pesto.

Attempt a do-it-yourself balsamic glaze

You should buy premade balsamic glaze from many grocery shops, nevertheless it’s additionally SO straightforward to make proper at dwelling with only one ingredient (sure, it’s simply balsamic vinegar!):

1. Add 1 cup balsamic vinegar to a small pot and place over medium warmth. You may as well add in a teaspoon of sugar in order for you it rather less acidic tasting.
2. Carry to a slight boil, then scale back warmth to low and simmer, stirring each couple of minutes till it thickens, reduces in half, and coats the again of a spoon, about 20 minutes.
3. If the glaze thickens an excessive amount of, merely reheat till it has thinned and might be simply drizzled onto the caprese baked orzo. Retailer in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 3 months.

The way to make this hen caprese orzo bake

1. Brown the hen. Begin by browning the hen thighs in olive oil, salt, and pepper in a giant braiser. As soon as browned set them apart on a plate.
2. Prep the orzo. Cook dinner down the garlic and shallot in the identical pot, then add the broth, pesto, orzo, lemon juice, and salt and produce to a simmer.
3. Add the hen. Nestle the hen into the simmering orzo, then scatter the cherry tomatoes round it. Carry all the things to a boil.
4. Bake, garnish & devour. Bake the all the things till the orzo is tender, then high with mozzarella slices and broil till bubbly and barely golden. Prime with balsamic glaze and contemporary basil and luxuriate in!

Storing ideas

You may retailer any leftover hen caprese baked orzo in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 4-5 days. Merely reheat within the microwave.

Extra one pan dinners you’ll love

Get all of my one pan meals right here!

I hope you’re keen on this one pan hen caprese orzo bake! When you make it you should definitely depart a remark and a ranking so I understand how you favored it. Get pleasure from, xo!

The
Formidable Kitchen
Cookbook

125 Ridiculously Good For You, Generally Indulgent, and Completely By no means Boring Recipes for Each Meal of the Day

One Pan Rooster Caprese Baked Orzo

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook dinner Time 25 minutes minutes

Whole Time 40 minutes minutes

ServesServes 6 servings

Simple one pan hen caprese orzo bake simmered with juicy cherry tomatoes and basil pesto, after which baked to perfection with melty mozzarella cheese. Prime it off with contemporary basil and a drizzle of candy balsamic glaze. Kiddos and adults will love this protein-packed caprese baked orzo — the right household dinner!

Components

• Rooster
• 1 ½ to 2 kilos boneless skinless hen thighs (about 6 medium thighs)
• 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
• Freshly floor black pepper
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• Orzo
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 shallot, diced
• 3 ½ cups low-sodium hen broth
• ⅓ cup basil pesto
• 1 pound dry orzo
• ½ lemon, juiced
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes (1 ½ cups)
• Toppings
• 6 ounces whole-milk mozzarella, minimize into 8 skinny slices (or sub 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella)
• 2 to three tablespoons balsamic glaze
• ¼ cup contemporary torn basil leaves

Directions

• Preheat the oven to 375 levels F.

• Put together the hen: Pat the hen dry with a paper towel and season with salt and pepper.

• Brown the hen: Place an oven-safe giant dutch oven or a 3.5 quart braiser over medium-high warmth and add within the oil. Add within the hen and cook dinner till golden brown, about 3 to five minutes per facet. You don’t want to cook dinner all over, as it is going to end cooking within the oven. Take away from the pan and switch to a plate.

• Put together and cook dinner the orzo: Scale back warmth to medium and add in one other tablespoon of oil, then instantly add within the garlic and shallot. Cook dinner, stirring often, till garlic is aromatic, about 1 minute. Subsequent, stir within the hen broth and pesto whereas scraping up any yummy bits from the underside of the pan. Stir within the orzo, lemon juice, and salt, and blend till nicely mixed. Carry combination to a mild simmer. Prepare the hen on high, together with any accrued hen juices on the plate, and gently nestle into the orzo combination, then scatter the tomatoes throughout the hen. Carry combination to a mild boil.

• Bake: Place within the oven and bake, uncovered, for 15 to twenty minutes or till orzo is tender and cooked although. Take away from the oven and add slices of mozzarella cheese on high of the hen. Change the oven to the broiler setting on excessive and broil till the cheese is melted and barely golden brown in locations, 2 to three minutes.

• End with toppings: Drizzle the balsamic glaze over the hen and orzo. End it off with contemporary torn or julienned basil leaves.

Recipe Notes

Make it nutrient-dense: Add in a 5 (ounce) bag of spinach (about 4 cups) immediately in step 4 with the garlic and cook dinner till wilted.
To make gluten-free: use gluten-free orzo or rice. If utilizing rice, I counsel utilizing 1 1/2 to 2 cups of rinsed, raw white rice. Sadly, brown rice will take too lengthy to cook dinner.
To make dairy-free: omit the mozzarella topping or use your favourite dairy-free cheese on high.

Diet

Serving: 1serving (based mostly on 6)Energy: 630calCarbohydrates: 53.8gProtein: 41.6gFats: 28.5gSaturated Fats: 9.5gFiber: 10.1gSugar: 8.9g

Recipe by: Monique Volz // Formidable Kitchen | Pictures by: Eat Love Eats