Balsamic Chicken & Veggie Orzo
A vibrant, one-bowl Mediterranean-inspired meal with tender balsamic-glazed chicken, tender orzo pasta, colorful vegetables, and fresh herbs. Quick to make and perfect for a weeknight dinner or meal prep.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Servings:2–3
Ingredients
For the Chicken
300–350g chicken breast or tenders
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tsp balsamic vinegar
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp paprika
½ tsp dried oregano
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
For the Orzo & Veggies
1 cup orzo pasta
1 cup broccoli florets
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 carrot, sliced thin
1 tbsp olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
Salt & pepper, to taste
1 tsp dried oregano or thyme
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Optional Toppings
2 tbsp crumbled feta
Lemon wedges
Toasted pine nuts
Instructions
1. Cook the Orzo
Cook orzo in salted boiling water until al dente (about 8–10 minutes).
Drain and set aside.
2. Cook the Chicken
In a bowl, mix chicken with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, oregano, salt, black pepper, and 2 tsp balsamic vinegar.
Heat a pan over medium heat.
Cook chicken 4–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
Remove and slice into strips.
3. Saute the Veggies
In the same pan, add olive oil and garlic.
Saute broccoli, bell pepper, and carrot 5–7 minutes until tender-crisp.
Season with salt, pepper, and oregano.
4. Combine & Toss
Add cooked orzo to the pan with veggies.
Drizzle 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar.
Toss to combine.
Add chicken slices on top.
Garnish with parsley, feta, lemon, or pine nuts.
Tips
Swap orzo with quinoa, couscous, or rice for variation.
Add spinach or kale at the end for extra greens.
For more flavor, marinate chicken 15–20 minutes in balsamic before cooking.
Meal prep: keep chicken, orzo, and veggies separate until ready to eat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I make this vegetarian?
Yes — replace chicken with chickpeas, tofu, or roasted vegetables.
Q: Can I bake the chicken instead?
Yes — bake at 200°C (400°F) for 15–18 minutes until cooked.
Q: Can this be spicy?
Add a pinch of chili flakes to veggies or chicken.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 450
Protein: 35g
Carbs: 45g
Fat: 14g
Fiber: 5g