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chicken orzo bake in gray skillet topped with fresh herbs.
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5 from 3 votes

Chicken Caprese Pasta

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.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Course: dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 4
Calories: 340kcal
Author: Courtney Paige

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
  • ½ cup white onion diced
  • 1 cup mozzarella balls
  • ½ cup cherry tomatoes diced
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • ¾ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp ground pepper
  • 5 stalks fresh basil ribboned
  • ¼ 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!
    cooked chicken tenderloins in gray skillet.
  • 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.
    tomato sauce covering onions and orzo in gray skillet.
  • 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.
    chicken with tomatoes and orzo cooked together in gray skillet.
  • 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!

Notes

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.
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. This is a GREAT dish for meal prep.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 340kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 38g | Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 60mg | Sodium: 612mg | Potassium: 345mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g