Easy One Pot Chicken Tenders and Rice Pilaf

A skillet filled with seasoned chicken tenders, rice, orzo, lemon slices, and fresh basil leaves sits on a wooden cutting board, accompanied by a striped cloth for a cozy touch.

Easy One Pot Chicken Tenders and Rice Pilaf

This easy one pot chicken tenders recipe with rice pilaf is a 30 minute delicious weeknight dinner. Juicy and seasoned with Mediterranean and Italian spices.

Prep Time10

Cook Time20

Total Time30

Servings: servings

Calories: 332kcal

Author: Stephanie Wilson

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoon butter divided
1 pound chicken tenders
2 teaspoons paprika
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
3 cloves garlic minced or crushed
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 cup rice dry
½ cup orzo dry
1 lemon sliced
3-4 cups chicken broth
2 cups chopped spinach
½ cup fresh basil leaves optional for garnish

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Instructions

Add olive oil and melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a pan/skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken tenders and season with paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 3 minutes on one side, flip, and cook for 1 minute more. Season with Italian seasoning and toss the chicken to coat. It will not be fully cooked yet. Transfer the tenders to a nearby plate.
Add 1 tablespoon butter into the skillet along with the orzo, rice, and garlic. Stir until the rice is toasted then add the lemon slices and allow the butter to brown around the lemons.
Pour in 3 cups broth. Mix in the spinach and bring to a boil. Slide the chicken and any juices left on the plate back into the skillet, cover the skillet, and reduce heat to low. Cook for 10-15 minutes or until the liquid has cooked into the rice and the chicken is cooked through.

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