This Chicken Caprese Pasta is a delightful Italian-inspired dish that combines juicy grilled chicken with vibrant tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and fragrant basil. The orzo pasta, cooked to perfection, serves as a perfect canvas for the harmonious blend of flavors, creating a wholesome and satisfying meal.
Caprese Orzo and Chicken Skillet
Simple, wholesome meals are my jam! And this Chicken Caprese Orzo checks the boxes. Juicy chicken tenderloins are simmered with tomatoes and onions in the exact same pot as orzo cooks in salty chicken broth.
The one pot dish is topped with mozzarella and a drizzle of balsamic glaze giving the dish a caprese like flavor.
This orzo pasta dish is flavorful and comforting and super simple to make! Once the chicken is cooked, everything goes right into the same pan. Minimal effort maximum flavor. What more could you ask for! Per usual, I used my Our Place Pan and it makes cooking super easy. Shop it below! I use it for this Meghan Markle One Pot Spaghetti recipe, too and it’s a true winner.
Recipe Ingredients
- Chicken Tenderloins – Pounded to even thickness. Tip: I like to trim off the tenderloin ends prior to cooking. The tendon can be chewy.
- Orzo – The pasta of choice in this dish. No straining required!
- Mozzarella Balls – Creamy mozzarella melts into the cooked pasta making for a dreamy tasting experience. If you can’t find the small fresh mozzarella balls, feel free to use a regular sized ball and tear into 1-inch pieces.
- Tomatoes – We will use canned and fresh tomatoes. Whether you choose cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes or a larger variety, juicy tomatoes bring bright and fresh flavors to this chicken caprese pasta recipe.
- Fresh Basil – Necessary for Caprese anything!
- Balsamic Glaze – NOT Balsamic vinegar. Your dish will end up much too acidic.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Substitutions and Variations
- Chicken: Omit for vegetarians or add chickpeas. Use shredded rotisserie chicken if you’re short on time.
- Cheese: If you don’t have mozzarella pearls, simply use ½ cup of shredded parmesan cheese and ¼ cup of shredded mozzarella. The flavors will be delectable and the cheese will melt resulting in a really nice orzo skillet.
- Orzo: Feel free to replace with another small pasta like pearl couscous, fregola pasta, ditalini pasta or stellette pasta. If needed, use gluten-free orzo which you can find at most grocery stores. You could also substitute Right Rice here (cook separately and skip the broth if you take this route)
- Veggies: Add your favorites! Asparagus, peas, bell peppers, broccoli, zucchini, etc. would all be tasty in this dish.
How to Make This Recipe
1. Heat a deep, large skillet (I use my Our Place Always Pan) to medium heat and add a little olive oil (½ tbsp). Wait until it’s fragrant and add the chicken tenders to the bottom of the pan.
2. Cook the chicken for 2-4 minutes on each side depending on the thickness of your pieces. Before flipping, spring with a pinch of salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. They should be about 85% cooked with golden brown edges.
3. Remove the chicken from the pan. Add the remaining drizzle of olive oil into the skillet. Add diced white onions and orzo. Stir constantly until the orzo is slightly browned/toasted.
4. Pour in the chicken broth and canned tomatoes (not strained). Cover with a lid and allow to cook for 10 minutes. Always use a Meat Thermometer to determine doneness.
5. Stir the orzo and place chicken tenders back into the pan with the seasonings and cherry tomatoes. Stir together and cover again. Allow the orzo to cook for another 10-15 minutes. The orzo should be cooked al dente and almost all of the liquid absorbed.
6. Add the diced fresh basil leaves and mozzarella pearls – stir together. Top with a drizzle of balsamic reduction and another sprinkle of basil. Serve hot and enjoy!
Serving suggestions
I love this recipe on its own, but it could be complimented with a really lovely side spinach salad (or Arugula Caprese Salad to stay on theme), Balsamic Green Beans as a side dish or served with a Limoncello Spritz!
Courtney’s Tips for Cooking Chicken Tenderloins
Cooking chicken on the stove top can be tricky, but let me provide you with my best tips for cooking chicken tenderloins on on the stove: Preparation! It’s the most important part (other than making sure the chicken is actually cooked). The prep sets the dish up for success!
- Trimming – Cook the meat you want to use! use meat scissors to trim away the excess tenderloin tip from the end. I find that when the tendens cook, they get super hard and do not add to the dish at all.
- Pounding the chicken – This ensures even cook time. To pound chicken, use plastic wrap and layer them on a cutting board or countertop. Overlap them slightly. Place trimmed chicken breast on the plastic wrap and then cover with plastic wrap. Using a meat tenderizer, pound the chicken breasts until they’re all equal thickness I aim for mine to be about ½ inch – ¾ inch thickness.
What’s the best way to store it
Store your leftover pasta dish in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave for 60-90 seconds until warmed throughout.
GREAT FOR MEAL PREP! It’s just as tasty the next day.
Try enjoying it cold! When orzo sits, it will absorb some of the liquid. I love adding a balsamic reduction glaze the next day; so tasty!
Recipe FAQs
In all seriousness, the mozzarella balls are a choking hazard😂. If young kids are enjoying this, I recommend either cutting into quarters before serving or use the shredded cheese suggestions above!
I love my Our Place Always Pan. It acts as a skillet, but has the perfect depth to be able to hold and cook the pasta, too. Try this Marry Me Chicken Tortellini in your Our Place Pan, too! Any deep skillet will do though, or you can use a large pot if you don’t have a skillet with tall edges.
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Chicken Caprese Pasta
Equipment
- deep skillet
- Tongs
- Knife
- Cutting Board
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 6-7 chicken tenderloins
- 1 tbsp olive oil, divided
- 1.5 cups orzo, dry
- 1 can chicken broth, 14.5 oz
- 1 can diced tomatoes with oninos
- 1/2 cup white onion, diced
- 1 cup mozzarella balls
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, diced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ¾ tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp ground pepper
- 5 stalks fresh basil, ribboned
- 1/4 cup balsamic glaze
Instructions
- Heat a deep, large skillet (I use my Our Place Always Pan) to medium heat and add a little olive oil (½ tbsp). Wait until it’s fragrant and add the chicken tenders to the bottom of the pan.
- Cook the chicken for 2-4 minutes on each side depending on the thickness of your pieces. Before flipping, add half of the salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. They should be about 85% cooked with golden brown edges. Use a meat thermometer to measure internal temperature. See notes for my best tips before cooking chicken!
- Remove the chicken from the pan. Add the remaining drizzle of olive oil into the skillet. Add diced white onions and orzo. Stir constantly until the orzo is slightly browned/toasted.
- Pour in the chicken broth and canned tomatoes (not strained). Cover with a lid and allow to cook for 10 minutes.
- Stir the orzo and place chicken tenders back into the orzo with the remaining seasonings. Stir together and cover again.
- Allow the orzo to cook for another 10-15 minutes. The orzo should be cooked al dente and almost all of the liquid absorbed.
- Add the diced fresh basil leaves and mozzarella pearls – stir together. Top with a drizzle of balsamic reduction and another sprinkle of basil. Serve hot and enjoy!
Nutrition
Video
Notes
- Trimming – Cook the meat you want to use! use meat scissors to trim away the excess tenderloin tip from the end. I find that when the tendens cook, they get super hard and do not add to the dish at all.
- Pounding the chicken – This ensures even cook time. To pound chicken, use plastic wrap and layer them on a cutting board or countertop. Overlap them slightly. Place trimmed chicken breast on the plastic wrap and then cover with plastic wrap. Using a meat tenderizer, pound the chicken breasts until they’re all equal thickness I aim for mine to be about ½ inch – ¾ inch thickness.
Looking for this in MyFitnessPal?
If you’re using MyFitnessPal, search ‘A Paige Of Positivity’ and find Chicken Orzo Bake calories and nutrition facts. Disclaimer: for most accurate macronutrients and caloric breakdown, it is recommended that you input each ingredient into your MyFitnessPal food diary.
I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. It’s my passion to create dishes that can be shared with others. Tell me something you loved or just say hi!
LOVE this for an easy dinner. so easy and so good to make!
this was such a simple dinner recipe that I am confident will become a staple for me. Loved!!!
Absolutely delicious!! My husband’s response was, “This is top shelf”! Great recipe!!
AMAZING meal! My entire family loved it! Will be making this again
made this for a easy dinner and my husband loved it!