Easy Orzo

When my friends have babies, I like to wait until their home and bring food. Especially since now, I have experienced the receiving end of that and how awesome that was. Each couple receives their own meal according to their eating habits, I try to make it as comforting as possible. Soup is always a great option but it's hard to indulge in the middle of August. Lasagna is great too but I've found it's a go-to for most social occasions where bringing food is commanded. Therefore, I mixed it up!

Spinach Artichoke Orzo with Chicken

8 oz of fresh spinach 

1 - 14 oz can of Artichoke Hearts (go fresh if you can brave it!)

3-4 oz of crumbled feta

1 - 16 oz box of orzo

1lb of chicken breast, marinated in Italian dressing

Directions: 

Prepare ahead of time by marinating your chicken breast for 12-24 hours. Then start boiling 6 cups of water with a dash of sea salt, once actively boiling add orzo to pot. While that is cooking, prepare spinach by washing and artichokes by quartering. Take a frying pan and add 3 tbs of EVOO and warm over a medium flame, add spinach to pan so that it wilts, then add artichoke hearts.

Here I add just a touch of salt and pepper to taste. The idea is to warm the ingredients and blend the flavors. By the time this is accomplished, the orzo should be ready because you want to leave it just a tad aldente. After draining and rinsing, return orzo to pot then add cooked spinach and artichoke mixture.

Return to the frying pan, add EVOO and warm over medium, then place in chicken breast.

While that's cooking, add feta, salt and pepper to orzo mix.  When the chicken breast is thoroughly cooked, cube and add to mixture.

 Toss if desired.

The dish should stand in fridge about a week before walking away. 😉

I think it's fun to dress it up in nice take out containers, it gives it an additional touch of sophistication. A great place to get those containers is your local Chinese or Thai restaurant. I have no idea why but everyone in this sera has the best take away Tupperware! 

Bon Appetit!