Balsamic Chicken Veggie Orzo (Printable Version)
Tender balsamic-glazed chicken with roasted zucchini, peppers, and tomatoes over herb-infused orzo pasta.
# Ingredient List:
→ For the Chicken
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
03 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 tablespoon honey
06 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ For the Veggies
09 - 1 medium zucchini, diced
10 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
11 - 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
12 - 1 small red onion, chopped
13 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
14 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
15 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
16 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ For the Orzo
17 - 1 1/2 cups dry orzo pasta
18 - 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth or water
19 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
20 - 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
21 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
# How to Make:
01 - Preheat oven to 425°F.
02 - Whisk together balsamic vinegar, olive oil, garlic, honey, oregano, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Place chicken in a shallow dish or zip-top bag, pour marinade over, and marinate for at least 15 minutes.
03 - Toss zucchini, bell peppers, red onion, and cherry tomatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread evenly on a large baking sheet.
04 - Remove chicken from marinade, reserving the liquid. Place chicken on the baking sheet with the vegetables.
05 - Roast for 20-25 minutes, flipping chicken halfway through, until chicken reaches internal temperature of 165°F and vegetables are tender. Brush chicken with reserved marinade during the last 5 minutes.
06 - Cook orzo in chicken broth or water according to package directions until al dente. Drain and toss with parsley, basil, and lemon juice.
07 - Divide orzo among plates, top with roasted vegetables and sliced chicken. Garnish with additional herbs if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The balsamic glaze creates this gorgeous caramelized finish that makes it look like you hired a personal chef
- Everything roasts on one sheet pan while the orzo bubbles away, meaning minimal cleanup maximum flavor
02 -
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after roasting or all those juices will run out onto your cutting board instead of staying where they belong
- The reserved marinade needs to brush onto the chicken during the last 5 minutes of roasting not at the start since it touched raw meat
03 -
- Crowd the vegetables too much on the pan and they'll steam instead of roast so use two pans if needed
- Room temperature chicken marinates more evenly than cold straight from the fridge