Seared Chicken over Orzo Pasta with Tomatoes,  Zucchini & Basil Pesto

Seared Chicken over Orzo Pasta

with Tomatoes, Zucchini & Basil Pesto

45 MIN
4 Servings
Wellness at Blue Apron
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Vegetarian
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Carb Conscious
These meals have 48g or less of net carbs (total carbs minus dietary fiber) per serving. They replace refined carbohydrates from sources like white flour, rice, and cane sugar with high-fiber foods like fresh vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.
600 Calories Or Less
Coming in at 600 calories or less per serving, these recipes are ideal for those choosing to monitor their caloric intake without sacrificing flavor. The US Food & Drug Administration uses 2000 calorie daily intake for general advice. The 600 calorie cap equates to 30% of the total 2000 calories per day based on 3 meals per day with 200 calories remaining for snack or beverage.
Wellness Grain
These recipes feature grains such as barley, quinoa, farro, orzo, couscous and more, handpicked by our Culinary team in collaboration with our Registered Dietitian.
Pescatarian
These recipes feature a wide array of nutritious seafood options like salmon, cod, tilapia, crab, and shrimp. While these dishes never contain meat, pork or poultry, they may contain animal derived ingredients such as milk, butter, cheese and/or honey.
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From the Test Kitchen

Simply spiced chicken gets a lift from our Italian-inspired orzo salad, packed with seasonal vegetables and bites of fresh mozzarella, then dressed with basil pesto.

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  • Nutrition
    PER SERVING
  • Calories
    790 Cals (est.)
fresh
ingredients
Seared Chicken over Orzo Pasta with Tomatoes,  Zucchini & Basil Pesto
Title
  • 4 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
  • 2 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
  • 1 Tbsp Weeknight Hero Spice Blend (Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Smoked Paprika & Whole Dried Parsley)
  • 2 cloves Garlic
  • ½ lb Orzo Pasta
  • ½ lb Grape Tomatoes
  • ⅓ cup Basil Pesto
  • 2 Zucchini
  • 4 oz Fresh Mozzarella Cheese
  • ¼ tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
  • 0.7 oz Grana Padano Cheese
  • 1 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
Prepare the ingredients:
1 Prepare the ingredients:

Fill a large pot 3/4 of the way up with salted water; cover and heat to boiling on high. Wash and dry the zucchini; halve lengthwise, then thinly slice crosswise. Peel and roughly chop 2 cloves of garlic. Halve the tomatoes; place in a bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Stir to coat. Medium dice the mozzarella. Grate the Grana Padano on the small side of a box grater.

Cook the chicken:
2 Cook the chicken:

Pat the chicken dry with paper towels; season on both sides with salt, pepper, and enough of the spice blend to coat (you may have extra). Working in batches, in a large pan (nonstick, if you have one), heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the seasoned chicken and cook 6 to 7 minutes per side, or until browned and cooked through.* Leaving any browned bits (or fond) in the pan, transfer to a cutting board. Loosely cover with foil to keep warm.  

*An instant-read thermometer should register 165°F.

Cook the pasta
3 Cook the pasta

Meanwhile, add the pasta to the pot of boiling water. Cook 7 to 9 minutes, or until tender. Turn off the heat. Drain thoroughly and return to the pot. Cover to keep warm.

Cook the zucchini
4 Cook the zucchini

In the pan of reserved fond, heat a drizzle of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the sliced zucchini in an even layer. Cook, without stirring, 3 to 4 minutes, or until lightly browned. Add the chopped garlic and as much of the red pepper flakes as you’d like, depending on how spicy you’d like the dish to be. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 2 to 3 minutes, or until softened. Turn off the heat.

Finish & serve your dish
5 Finish & serve your dish

To the pot of cooked pasta, add the cooked zucchini, seasoned tomatoes, diced mozzarella, pesto, vinegar, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Stir to combine. Taste, then season with salt and pepper if desired. Slice the cooked chicken crosswise. Serve the sliced chicken over the finished pasta. Garnish with the grated Grana Padano. Enjoy!

Tips from Home Chefs

Prepare the ingredients:
1 Prepare the ingredients:

Fill a large pot 3/4 of the way up with salted water; cover and heat to boiling on high. Wash and dry the zucchini; halve lengthwise, then thinly slice crosswise. Peel and roughly chop 2 cloves of garlic. Halve the tomatoes; place in a bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Stir to coat. Medium dice the mozzarella. Grate the Grana Padano on the small side of a box grater.

2 Cook the chicken:

Pat the chicken dry with paper towels; season on both sides with salt, pepper, and enough of the spice blend to coat (you may have extra). Working in batches, in a large pan (nonstick, if you have one), heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the seasoned chicken and cook 6 to 7 minutes per side, or until browned and cooked through.* Leaving any browned bits (or fond) in the pan, transfer to a cutting board. Loosely cover with foil to keep warm.  

*An instant-read thermometer should register 165°F.

Cook the chicken:
Cook the pasta
3 Cook the pasta

Meanwhile, add the pasta to the pot of boiling water. Cook 7 to 9 minutes, or until tender. Turn off the heat. Drain thoroughly and return to the pot. Cover to keep warm.

4 Cook the zucchini

In the pan of reserved fond, heat a drizzle of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the sliced zucchini in an even layer. Cook, without stirring, 3 to 4 minutes, or until lightly browned. Add the chopped garlic and as much of the red pepper flakes as you’d like, depending on how spicy you’d like the dish to be. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 2 to 3 minutes, or until softened. Turn off the heat.

Cook the zucchini
Finish & serve your dish
5 Finish & serve your dish

To the pot of cooked pasta, add the cooked zucchini, seasoned tomatoes, diced mozzarella, pesto, vinegar, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Stir to combine. Taste, then season with salt and pepper if desired. Slice the cooked chicken crosswise. Serve the sliced chicken over the finished pasta. Garnish with the grated Grana Padano. Enjoy!

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