Need a simple dinner that delivers taste however screams consolation? That is it.
A lovely one pan hen caprese orzo bake that turns the flavors of a recent caprese salad into a comfy, tacky baked pasta dinner. Each kiddos and adults will love the creamy pesto orzo, gooey mozzarella cheese topping, and candy balsamic glaze!
I examined this recipe just a few other ways first in order that I knew it was tremendous simple to make with easy elements. You’ll bake every thing up in below half-hour, and you may even add add further veggies in the event you’d like! Get this one in your dinner menu ASAP. It’s certain to develop into a brand new favourite from yours actually.
Every little thing you’ll must make these caprese orzo bake
You’re going to like how simple and flavorful every thing on this dish comes collectively. Right here’s what you’ll must make it:
- Rooster: we’re utilizing boneless skinless hen thighs for further taste on this recipe. They’re practically unattainable to overcook which makes them good for this recipe.
- Orzo: I like how creamy and tender the orzo will get right here. You’ll first simmer it with garlic, a shallot, low-sodium hen broth, basil pesto, and lemon juice.
- Cherry tomatoes: gotta have recent tomatoes for the “caprese” a part of the dish! Cherry tomatoes will get good and jammy after baking with the orzo.
- For topping: you’ll add recent slices of mozzarella cheese (or shredded cheese works simply positive) as the ultimate step, after which garnish with a balsamic glaze and recent basil. SO GOOD.
Customise your caprese baked orzo
- Use your fav pesto: be happy to make use of a store-bought pesto for ease, or use the straightforward basil pesto from my cookbook!
- Decide your pasta: any brief pasta form ought to work nicely in right here (even pearl couscous!)
- Add a lift of veggies: add some greens to this recipe by stirring in about 2 to 4 cups of spinach with the garlic till wilted.
Can I make it gluten-free or dairy-free?
- To make gluten-free: use gluten-free orzo or rice. If utilizing rice, I recommend utilizing 1 1/2 to 2 cups of rinsed, raw white rice. Sadly, brown rice will take too lengthy to prepare dinner.
- To make dairy-free: skip the mozzarella topping or add your favourite dairy-free cheese on prime! Then make sure to use a dairy-free pesto.
Attempt a do-it-yourself balsamic glaze
You should purchase premade balsamic glaze from many grocery shops, however it’s additionally SO simple to make proper at residence with only one ingredient (sure, it’s simply balsamic vinegar!):
- Add 1 cup balsamic vinegar to a small pot and place over medium warmth. You may also add in a teaspoon of sugar if you would like it rather less acidic tasting.
- Deliver to a slight boil, then cut back warmth to low and simmer, stirring each couple of minutes till it thickens, reduces in half, and coats the again of a spoon, about 20 minutes.
- If the glaze thickens an excessive amount of, merely reheat till it has thinned and could be simply drizzled onto the caprese baked orzo. Retailer in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 3 months.
make this hen caprese orzo bake
- Brown the hen. Begin by browning the hen thighs in olive oil, salt, and pepper in a massive braiser. As soon as browned set them apart on a plate.
- Prep the orzo. Prepare dinner down the garlic and shallot in the identical pot, then add the broth, pesto, orzo, lemon juice, and salt and produce to a simmer.
- Add the hen. Nestle the hen into the simmering orzo, then scatter the cherry tomatoes round it. Deliver every thing to a boil.
- Bake, garnish & devour. Bake the every thing till the orzo is tender, then prime with mozzarella slices and broil till bubbly and barely golden. Prime with balsamic glaze and recent basil and luxuriate in!
Storing ideas
You possibly can retailer any leftover hen caprese baked orzo in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 4-5 days. Merely reheat within the microwave.
Extra one pan dinners you’ll love
Get all of my one pan meals right here!
I hope you’re keen on this one pan hen caprese orzo bake! When you make it make sure to depart a remark and a score so I understand how you preferred it. Take pleasure in, xo!


The
Bold Kitchen
Cookbook
125 Ridiculously Good For You, Generally Indulgent, and Completely By no means Boring Recipes for Each Meal of the Day
One Pan Rooster Caprese Baked Orzo


Straightforward one pan hen caprese orzo bake simmered with juicy cherry tomatoes and basil pesto, after which baked to perfection with melty mozzarella cheese. Prime it off with recent basil and a drizzle of candy balsamic glaze. Kiddos and adults will love this protein-packed caprese baked orzo — the right household dinner!
Elements
- Rooster
- 1 ½ to 2 kilos boneless skinless hen thighs (about 6 medium thighs)
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- Freshly floor black pepper
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- Orzo
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 shallot, diced
- 3 ½ cups low-sodium hen broth
- ⅓ cup basil pesto
- 1 pound dry orzo
- ½ lemon, juiced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes (1 ½ cups)
- Toppings
- 6 ounces whole-milk mozzarella, minimize into 8 skinny slices (or sub 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella)
- 2 to three tablespoons balsamic glaze
- ¼ cup recent torn basil leaves
Directions
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Preheat the oven to 375 levels F.
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Put together the hen: Pat the hen dry with a paper towel and season with salt and pepper.
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Brown the hen: Place an oven-safe massive dutch oven or a 3.5 quart braiser over medium-high warmth and add within the oil. Add within the hen and prepare dinner till golden brown, about 3 to five minutes per aspect. You do not want to prepare dinner throughout, as it can end cooking within the oven. Take away from the pan and switch to a plate.
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Put together and prepare dinner the orzo: Cut back warmth to medium and add in one other tablespoon of oil, then instantly add within the garlic and shallot. Prepare dinner, stirring steadily, till garlic is aromatic, about 1 minute. Subsequent, stir within the hen broth and pesto whereas scraping up any yummy bits from the underside of the pan. Stir within the orzo, lemon juice, and salt, and blend till nicely mixed. Deliver combination to a delicate simmer. Organize the hen on prime, together with any accrued hen juices on the plate, and gently nestle into the orzo combination, then scatter the tomatoes throughout the hen. Deliver combination to a delicate boil.
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Bake: Place within the oven and bake, uncovered, for 15 to twenty minutes or till orzo is tender and cooked although. Take away from the oven and add slices of mozzarella cheese on prime of the hen. Swap the oven to the broiler setting on excessive and broil till the cheese is melted and barely golden brown in locations, 2 to three minutes.
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End with toppings: Drizzle the balsamic glaze over the hen and orzo. End it off with recent torn or julienned basil leaves.
Recipe Notes
To make gluten-free: use gluten-free orzo or rice. If utilizing rice, I recommend utilizing 1 1/2 to 2 cups of rinsed, raw white rice. Sadly, brown rice will take too lengthy to prepare dinner.
To make dairy-free: omit the mozzarella topping or use your favourite dairy-free cheese on prime.
Diet
Serving: 1serving (primarily based on 6)Energy: 630calCarbohydrates: 53.8gProtein: 41.6gFats: 28.5gSaturated Fats: 9.5gFiber: 10.1gSugar: 8.9g
Recipe by: Monique Volz // Bold Kitchen | Images by: Eat Love Eats