Description
One Pot Ginger Chilli Chicken Orzo is a flavorful, Asian-inspired dish featuring tender chicken thighs cooked with aromatic ginger, garlic, and chili flakes, combined with orzo pasta simmered in a savory chicken stock. Finished with a drizzle of chili oil and sweet chili jam, and garnished with fresh scallions and cilantro, this 30-minute one-pot meal is perfect for an easy and satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 1 lb chicken thighs, skinless, boneless, free-range
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Flavor Base
- 6 scallions (spring onions), sliced finely, white and green parts separated
- 1 inch piece of ginger, grated
- 4 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes
Orzo and Sauces
- 1.5 cups orzo
- 3 cups chicken stock
- 1.5 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon fish sauce
Finishing Touches
- 2 tablespoons chili oil
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili jam
- A handful of fresh cilantro leaves
Instructions
- Prepare and Cook Chicken: Toss the chicken thighs with 1 teaspoon salt in a small bowl. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large, high-sided pan over high heat. Add the chicken thighs and cook for 5 minutes on each side until super charred and golden. Remove from pan, cover, and keep warm.
- Sauté Aromatics: Reduce heat to medium. Add the white parts of scallions, grated ginger, crushed garlic, and chili flakes to the pan with reserved chicken juices. Stir and cook for 2 minutes to release flavors.
- Add Orzo and Liquids: Add 1.5 cups orzo to the pan and stir for 1 minute. Pour in 3 cups chicken stock, 1.5 tablespoons soy sauce, and 1 teaspoon fish sauce. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Simmer Orzo: Reduce heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, for about 10 minutes until orzo is al dente and sauce thickens.
- Finish the Dish: Nestle cooked chicken thighs back into the orzo mixture. Drizzle 2 tablespoons chili oil and 2 tablespoons sweet chili jam over the top. Scatter the reserved scallion greens and fresh cilantro leaves before serving.
- Serve: Divide the orzo and chicken among plates or bowls and enjoy immediately.
Notes
- This recipe is designed as a one-pot meal for easy clean-up and quick preparation, perfect for busy weeknights.
- Adjust the amount of chili flakes, chili oil, and sweet chili jam to suit your preferred spice level.
- You can substitute chicken thighs with boneless chicken breasts if preferred, but thighs remain juicier and more flavorful.
- Use fresh ginger for best flavor, but ginger paste can be a convenient alternative.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos and ensure the orzo is gluten-free.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 493 kcal
- Sugar: 5.3 g
- Sodium: 1283.6 mg
- Fat: 18.7 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 43.9 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 36.1 g
- Cholesterol: 122.9 mg
