Description
Savor the rich and comforting flavors of Italy with this Tuscan Sunset Chicken Bake! A creamy, cheesy, and savory one-pan dish featuring juicy chicken, tender orzo, vibrant cherry tomatoes, and fresh spinach—all baked to golden perfection. Perfect for a cozy family dinner!
Ingredients
- 16 oz. dry orzo
- 2 cups cooked chicken (rotisserie or sautéed, diced)
- 3 cups chicken stock (unsalted)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 2/3 cup parmesan cheese (grated or shredded)
- 1.5 cups mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- 3 cups baby spinach (loosely packed, roughly chopped)
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes (whole or halved)
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or more to taste)
- 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- Optional: 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (if not using fresh garlic)
Instructions
- Preheat & Prep
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish with non-stick spray.
- Assemble the Dish
- In the casserole dish, combine orzo, cooked chicken, chicken stock, heavy cream, garlic, spinach, cherry tomatoes, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Sprinkle in half of the parmesan and mozzarella cheese.
- Stir well to evenly distribute the ingredients.
- Bake to Perfection
- Top with the remaining cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 40 minutes, or until the orzo is tender.
- Rest & Serve
- Remove from the oven and let it sit for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the liquid to be absorbed.
- Give it a final mix and serve hot!
Notes
- For a richer flavor, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick.
- Swap orzo for short pasta like ditalini or small shells if preferred.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian