Orzo with ’nduja, fresh tomatoes and chicken
Recipe for spicy orzo with ’nduja, fresh tomatoes and juicy chicken.
Servings 4 people
Calories 590kcal
Ingredients
- 2 large chicken breast fillets
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 400 g cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp dried rosemary
- 2 tbsp tomato purée
- 2 tbsp ’nduja
- 150 ml white wine (can be replaced with stock)
- 400 g orzo
- 700-800 ml stock – chicken or vegetable
- 5 sprigs basil, chopped
- Salt and freshly ground pepper
- Olive oil
Instructions
- Slice the chicken breast fillets in half horizontally (parallel to the board) – so you have 4 flat fillets. Season with salt, freshly ground pepper and, if you like, a few other spices such as paprika and thyme. Set aside.
- Heat a frying pan and fry the onion in a splash of oil until soft and translucent.
- Add the garlic and tomatoes and fry until the tomatoes are just starting to soften.
- Stir in the tomato purée, ’nduja and the dried herbs and heat through well.
- Pour in the white wine and let it reduce before adding the orzo and the stock. Cook the orzo over a medium heat until al dente – stirring as you go. I like to add the stock in 3-4 batches – a bit like a risotto, so I can control the consistency more easily.
- Meanwhile, heat a second frying pan and brown the chicken well for a couple of minutes on each side. Then turn the heat down – and let it finish cooking gently over a low heat. This gives you the juiciest piece of chicken.
- When the orzo is tender, stir in the fresh basil. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground pepper – and adjust the consistency with more stock if needed. It should be soft and creamy.
- Slice the chicken and lay it on top - and, if you like, finish with a little freshly chopped basil and a drizzle of olive oil before serving.
Nutrition
Calories: 590kcal | Carbohydrates: 85g | Protein: 39g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 69mg | Sodium: 904mg | Potassium: 1070mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 698IU | Vitamin C: 28mg | Calcium: 66mg | Iron: 3mg