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Creamy Ricotta Chicken and Orzo Skillet - Easy Recipe

Creamy Ricotta Chicken and Orzo Skillet – Easy Recipe

Description

Welcome, food lovers! Today, we’re diving into a creamy and flavorful dish: Creamy Ricotta Chicken and Orzo Skillet. This meal combines tender chicken, earthy mushrooms, fresh baby spinach, and a rich ricotta sauce, making it an ultimate comfort food. Best of all, with just a few simple tweaks, it can easily become dairy-free for those with dietary restrictions. Let’s get started!

Ingredients

Scale

 

For the Chicken:

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

For the Orzo:

  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 large shallot, halved and thinly sliced
  • 8 ounces baby bella mushrooms, thinly sliced
  • 4 cups baby spinach, packed
  • 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
  • ½ cup dry white wine
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • Zest of ½ lemon
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¾ cup whole milk ricotta cheese (sub dairy-free ricotta for dairy-free, such as Kite Hill brand)
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella (omit for dairy-free or use dairy-free cheese)
  • ¼ cup thinly sliced basil leaves for serving

Optional Substitutions:

  • For a dairy-free version, use dairy-free ricotta and mozzarella.
  • Substitute vegetable broth for chicken broth to make it vegetarian-friendly.

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 375℉. This ensures that your skillet is hot and ready to cook the dish to perfection.

Step 2: Brown the Chicken

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken cubes, kosher salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook until the chicken is golden brown. Transfer the chicken to a plate—it will finish cooking in the oven.

Step 3: Cook the Orzo

In the same skillet, add the minced garlic, sliced shallots, and mushrooms. Cook for about 4 minutes until the mushrooms begin to soften. Lower the heat and add the baby spinach, cooking until it wilts. Pour in the white wine and let it reduce by half.

Step 4: Simmer and Combine

Add the uncooked orzo, chicken broth, lemon zest, lemon juice, and kosher salt to the skillet. Stir in the ricotta cheese until well-combined. Return the chicken to the skillet, mix well, and sprinkle mozzarella on top.

Step 5: Bake

Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for about 15 minutes, until the orzo is tender and the cheese is brown and bubbly. Let the skillet rest for a few minutes to thicken before serving.

Equipment

Notes

 

  • Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for that extra zing.
  • Ensure the white wine reduces by half before adding the orzo to concentrate the flavor.
  • For a smoother consistency, whisk the ricotta into the broth before adding it to the skillet.
  • To get a nice crispy top, you can broil the dish for the last 2 minutes of baking.

Find it online: https://optimalrecipes.com/creamy-ricotta-chicken-and-orzo-skillet-easy-recipe/