Balsamic Chicken Veggie Orzo (Print View)
Tender glazed chicken with roasted vegetables and herbed orzo pasta for a complete Mediterranean meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ 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
# Step-by-Step Directions:
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 breasts in a shallow dish or zip-top bag and pour marinade over. Marinate for at least 15 minutes.
03 - Toss zucchini, bell peppers, red onion, and cherry tomatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on a large baking sheet.
04 - Remove chicken from marinade, reserving remaining marinade. 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 of roasting.
06 - Cook orzo according to package instructions in chicken broth or water 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 extra herbs if desired.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The balsamic glaze creates this gorgeous caramelized finish that makes people think you spent way more effort than you actually did
- Everything roasts on one sheet pan while the orzo bubbles away, meaning minimal cleanup and maximum flavor payoff
02 -
- I learned the hard way that too much honey makes the glaze burn before the chicken cooks through
- Letting the chicken rest for 5 minutes after roasting keeps it juicy when you slice it
03 -
- Line your baking sheet with parchment paper for the easiest cleanup ever
- Cut your vegetables to similar sizes so they all finish roasting at the same time