Lemon Herb "Chicken" Orzo Skillet

Tender plant-based chicken and al dente orzo simmered with fresh herbs, bell peppers, and cannellini beans in a bright lemon-garlic broth.

• Prep: 12 min
• Cook: 18 min
• Total: 30 min
• Servings: 4.5
• Cuisine: Italian
• Difficulty: Easy
• Cost: $3.75/serving

Dietary

• Vegetarian
• High-Protein
• Nut-Free
• Egg-Free
• Pescatarian
• High-Fiber

Tags

• one-pot
• quick
• savory
• healthy
• comfort food

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 16 ounce plant-based chicken strips
• 1 yellow onion (small, chopped)
• 2 clove garlic (minced)
• 1 red bell pepper (thinly sliced)
• 1 cup orzo pasta (uncooked)
• 3 cup vegetable broth
• 1 can cannellini beans (rinsed, drained)
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (dried)
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper (ground)
• 1 fluid ounce lemon juice
• 0.5 cup fresh spinach
• 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
• 0.5 teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add plant-based chicken strips and cook for 5-7 minutes until lightly browned. Remove from skillet and set aside.
2. Add chopped yellow onion and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 3 minutes until fragrant. Stir in thinly sliced red bell pepper and cook for another 2 minutes.
3. Add uncooked orzo pasta, vegetable broth, cannellini beans, dried Italian seasoning, and black pepper to the skillet. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 8-10 minutes, or until orzo is tender and liquid is mostly absorbed.
4. Return the cooked plant-based chicken strips to the skillet. Stir in lemon juice and fresh spinach, cooking until spinach is just wilted, about 1-2 minutes. Season with salt to taste.
5. Serve immediately, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheats well in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of broth.

Nutrition (per serving)

• Calories: 480
• Protein: 28.4 g
• Carbohydrates: 58.5 g
• Fat: 15.2 g
• Fiber: 9.8 g
• Sodium: 820 mg
• Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
• Sugar: 5.1 g
• Cholesterol: 5 mg