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Greatest type of weeknight meal! Tender hen, roasted butternut squash, creamy orzo and sneaked in greens!
Full disclosure: Sure, that is as lush, velvety and comfortable because it appears. With the creamiest of orzos, pan seared hen thighs, roasted butternut squash and all of the seasonal herbs of thyme and sage, that is speedy consolation meals at its finest and most interesting.
why i like this recipe
Balanced meal. This has all the pieces you want – hen, greens, fiber and pasta. An all-in-one executed meal, nice for grown-ups and toddlers.
Excellent for any event. Whether or not it’s a fast, weeknight meal, a flowery date night time for 2, or a household meal, this hen and creamy orzo dish delivers in each single approach attainable. It’s restaurant-quality with none of the fuss.
ideas and tips for achievement
Minimize in uniform dimension. Chop the butternut squash in related dimension for even cooking.
Bake instantly on the sheet pan. No want for parchment paper right here. Bake the butternut squash instantly on the sheet pan for caramelization and crispness.
Use a heavy pot. A heavy backside pot, similar to a Dutch oven, is good right here for even warmth distribution and a greater sear.
Contemporary herbs are finest. Though you possibly can actually substitute dried herbs, contemporary herbs are preferrred right here, delivering one of the best type of taste.
Use good-quality inventory. The higher high quality your inventory, the higher your soup. Many manufacturers like to pack within the salt so all the time go for unsalted or a lower-sodium selection. Selfmade inventory is even higher.
Add in leafy greens. This can be a nice recipe to sneak in leafy greens for these choosy eaters. Kale, spinach, collard greens, swiss chard, or arugula are all nice choices.
Combine it up. Use candy potato rather than butternut squash, or a mix of each.
Seize pre-cut squash. To chop down on prep time much more, use pre-cut butternut squash or candy potatoes.
what to serve with hen and butternut squash orzo
Hen and Butternut Squash Orzo: Continuously Requested Questions
Sure, hen breasts can completely be used right here however hen thighs have extra darkish meat and the next fats content material which can yield juicier, extra flavorful hen.
Completely! However as a result of dried herbs are sometimes stronger/concentrated than contemporary herbs, you want much less when utilizing dry. The proper ratio is 1 tablespoon contemporary herbs to 1 teaspoon dried herbs.
Spinach, cabbage, swiss chard and collard greens are all nice subs.
Heavy cream (or heavy whipping cream) has one of many highest fats contents with about 36-40% fats. Half and half or complete milk are appropriate substitutes, however will yield a lighter consequence.
Leftovers could be saved in an hermetic container within the fridge for 2-3 days.
for the roasted butternut squash
1 pound diced butternut squash, about 2 cups2 tablespoons olive oilKosher salt and freshly floor black pepper, to style
Season hen with 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
Add shallot, and cook dinner, stirring sometimes, till tender, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in garlic, thyme and sage till aromatic, about 1 minute.
Whisk in flour till flippantly browned, about 1 minute.
Stir in hen inventory and Dijon, scraping any browned bits from the underside of the Dutch oven. Stir in orzo; season with salt and pepper, to style.
Convey to a boil; cut back warmth and simmer, stirring sometimes, till pasta is cooked via, about 6 minutes. Stir in kale, Parmesan and heavy cream till the kale has wilted, about 3 minutes.
Stir in roasted butternut squash; season with salt and pepper, to style. Return hen to the Dutch oven.
Serve instantly.
for the roasted butternut squash
Place butternut squash in a single layer onto the ready baking sheet. Stir in olive oil; season with salt and pepper, to style. Gently toss to mix.
Place into oven and bake for 25-Half-hour, or till butternut squash is tender, stirring at halftime.