eCook

AI-powered weekly meal inspiration

eCook Meal

Creamy Chicken & Orzo

with charred broccoli & grated Italian-style hard cheese

Chicken Quick & Easy

4.5

  • Hands on20 - 25 minutes
  • Overall20 - 25 minutes
Photo of Creamy Chicken & Orzo

When you’re low on time but your food expectations are high, this pasta dish sets the standard in time-efficient tastiness. A creamy basil pesto-infused sauce coats al dente orzo pasta and golden chicken, spiced with NOMU Italian Rub. Finished with charred broccoli.

Serving guide

Choose your portion size.

  1. PASTA

    Bring a pot of salted water to a boil for the orzo. Cook the orzo until al dente, 10-12 minutes. Drain, reserving a cup of the pasta water, and toss through a drizzle of olive oil.

  2. BROCCOLI

    Place a pan over medium-high heat with a drizzle of oil or a knob of butter. When hot, fry the broccoli until lightly charred, 5-6 minutes (shifting occasionally). Add a splash of water, cover with a lid, and simmer until al dente, 1-2 minutes. Alternatively, air fry at 200°C until cooked through, 8-10 minutes (shifting halfway). Remove from the pan and season.

  3. Chicken

    Place a pan over medium heat with a drizzle of oil. Coat the Chicken with the NOMU rub. When hot, fry until golden and cooked through, 1-2 minutes per side. Remove from the pan, season, and set aside.

  4. TIME TO EAT

    To the pot with the orzo, add the creamy pesto, the Chicken, and seasoning. Loosen with the reserved pasta water if it’s too thick. Dish up the loaded orzo, top with the charred broccoli, and sprinkle over the grated cheese. Well done, Chef!

  • Orzo Pasta - 100ml

  • Broccoli Florets - 100g

  • Free-range Chicken Breast/s - 1

  • NOMU Italian Rub - 10ml

  • Creamy Pesto - 100ml

  • Grated Italian-style Hard Cheese - 25ml

  1. PASTA

    Bring a pot of salted water to a boil for the orzo. Cook the orzo until al dente, 10-12 minutes. Drain, reserving a cup of the pasta water, and toss through a drizzle of olive oil.

  2. BROCCOLI

    Place a pan over medium-high heat with a drizzle of oil or a knob of butter. When hot, fry the broccoli until lightly charred, 5-6 minutes (shifting occasionally). Add a splash of water, cover with a lid, and simmer until al dente, 1-2 minutes. Alternatively, air fry at 200°C until cooked through, 8-10 minutes (shifting halfway). Remove from the pan and season.

  3. Chicken

    Place a pan over medium heat with a drizzle of oil. Coat the Chicken with the NOMU rub. When hot, fry until golden and cooked through, 1-2 minutes per side. Remove from the pan, season, and set aside.

  4. TIME TO EAT

    To the pot with the orzo, add the creamy pesto, the Chicken, and seasoning. Loosen with the reserved pasta water if it’s too thick. Dish up the loaded orzo, top with the charred broccoli, and sprinkle over the grated cheese. Well done, Chef!

  • Orzo Pasta - 200ml

  • Broccoli Florets - 200g

  • Free-range Chicken Breast/s - 2

  • NOMU Italian Rub - 20ml

  • Creamy Pesto - 200ml

  • Grated Italian-style Hard Cheese - 50ml

  1. PASTA

    Bring a pot of salted water to a boil for the orzo. Cook the orzo until al dente, 10-12 minutes. Drain, reserving a cup of the pasta water, and toss through a drizzle of olive oil.

  2. BROCCOLI

    Place a pan over medium-high heat with a drizzle of oil or a knob of butter. When hot, fry the broccoli until lightly charred, 7-8 minutes (shifting occasionally). Add a splash of water, cover with a lid, and simmer until al dente, 1-2 minutes. Alternatively, air fry at 200°C until cooked through, 10-12 minutes (shifting halfway). Remove from the pan and season.

  3. Chicken

    Place a pan over medium heat with a drizzle of oil. Coat the Chicken with the NOMU rub. When hot, fry until golden and cooked through, 1-2 minutes per side. You may need to do this step in batches. Remove from the pan, season, and set aside.

  4. TIME TO EAT

    To the pot with the orzo, add the creamy pesto, the Chicken, and seasoning. Loosen with the reserved pasta water if it’s too thick. Dish up the loaded orzo, top with the charred broccoli, and sprinkle over the grated cheese. Well done, Chef!

  • Orzo Pasta - 300ml

  • Broccoli Florets - 300g

  • Free-range Chicken Breasts - 3

  • NOMU Italian Rub - 30ml

  • Creamy Pesto - 300ml

  • Grated Italian-style Hard Cheese - 75ml

  1. PASTA

    Bring a pot of salted water to a boil for the orzo. Cook the orzo until al dente, 10-12 minutes. Drain, reserving a cup of the pasta water, and toss through a drizzle of olive oil.

  2. BROCCOLI

    Place a pan over medium-high heat with a drizzle of oil or a knob of butter. When hot, fry the broccoli until lightly charred, 7-8 minutes (shifting occasionally). Add a splash of water, cover with a lid, and simmer until al dente, 1-2 minutes. Alternatively, air fry at 200°C until cooked through, 10-12 minutes (shifting halfway). Remove from the pan and season.

  3. Chicken

    Place a pan over medium heat with a drizzle of oil. Coat the Chicken with the NOMU rub. When hot, fry until golden and cooked through, 1-2 minutes per side. You may need to do this step in batches. Remove from the pan, season, and set aside.

  4. TIME TO EAT

    To the pot with the orzo, add the creamy pesto, the Chicken, and seasoning. Loosen with the reserved pasta water if it’s too thick. Dish up the loaded orzo, top with the charred broccoli, and sprinkle over the grated cheese. Well done, Chef!

  • Orzo Pasta - 400ml

  • Broccoli Florets - 400g

  • Free-range Chicken Breasts - 4

  • NOMU Italian Rub - 40ml

  • Creamy Pesto - 400ml

  • Grated Italian-style Hard Cheese - 100ml

Budget

What this meal costs at Woolies.

Estimated Woolies cost

R155.29

for 4 servings · R38.82 per serving

Pro-rated from each product's pack size. Effectively used; not the full pack price.

Not in the Woolies basket — source these elsewhere:

  • NOMU Italian Rub
  • Creamy Pesto

Shopping

Matching Woolies ingredients.

Woolies Products in this dish

Photo of Free Range Chicken Breast Fillets Avg 400 g

Free Range Chicken Breast Fillets Avg 400 G

Photo of Free Range Whole Chicken Breast Avg 1 kg

Free Range Whole Chicken Breast Avg 1 Kg

Photo of Frozen Crunchy Nacho Chicken Breast Strips 18 pk

Frozen Crunchy Nacho Chicken Breast Strips 18 Pk

Photo of Free Range Chicken Breasts with Creamy Tomato & Oregano 2 pk

Free Range Chicken Breasts With Creamy Tomato & Oregano 2 Pk

Photo of Chicken Mini Breast Fillets Avg 400 g

Chicken Mini Breast Fillets Avg 400 G

Photo of Tikka Marinated Free Range Chicken Breast Fillets Avg 750 g

Tikka Marinated Free Range Chicken Breast Fillets Avg 750 G

Photo of Free Range Chicken Breast Topped with Mushroom Risotto 2 pk

Free Range Chicken Breast Topped With Mushroom Risotto 2 Pk

Photo of Provolone Full Fat Semi Hard Cheese Slices 8 slices

Provolone Full Fat Semi Hard Cheese Slices 8 Slices

Photo of Free Range Skinless Chicken Breast Fillets Avg 1.7 kg

Free Range Skinless Chicken Breast Fillets Avg 1.7 Kg

Photo of PlantLove™ Dairy Free Macadamia Nut Based Grated Hard Cheese 60 g

Plantlove™ Dairy Free Macadamia Nut Based Grated Hard Cheese 60 G

Photo of PlantLove™ Dairy Free Macadamia Nut Based Hard Cheese 180 g

Plantlove™ Dairy Free Macadamia Nut Based Hard Cheese 180 G

Photo of Sliced Butter Basted Chicken Breast 300 g

Sliced Butter Basted Chicken Breast 300 G

Photo of Herb Salsa Marinated Free Range Chicken Breast Fillets Avg 750 g

Herb Salsa Marinated Free Range Chicken Breast Fillets Avg 750 G

Photo of 12 Month Matured Gruberg Full Fat Hard Cheese Avg 180 g

12 Month Matured Gruberg Full Fat Hard Cheese Avg 180 G

Photo of Boland™ Medium Fat Semi-Hard Cheese Avg 200 g

Boland™ Medium Fat Semi-hard Cheese Avg 200 G

Photo of Appenzeller Full Fat Semi-Hard Cheese Avg 200 g

Appenzeller Full Fat Semi-hard Cheese Avg 200 G

Photo of Klein River Gruberg Full Fat Hard Cheese Avg 220 g

Klein River Gruberg Full Fat Hard Cheese Avg 220 G

Photo of Klein River Oak Smoked Stanford Full Fat Hard Cheese Avg 200 g

Klein River Oak Smoked Stanford Full Fat Hard Cheese Avg 200 G

Photo of Pecorino Romano Medium Fat Hard Cheese Shavings 50 g

Pecorino Romano Medium Fat Hard Cheese Shavings 50 G

Photo of Organic Haloumi Full Fat Semi Hard Cheese Avg 350 g

Organic Haloumi Full Fat Semi Hard Cheese Avg 350 G

Photo of Manchego Sheep’s Milk Full Fat Hard Cheese Avg 150 g

Manchego Sheep’s Milk Full Fat Hard Cheese Avg 150 G

Photo of Plant Powered™ Dairy Free Hard Cheese 260 g

Plant Powered™ Dairy Free Hard Cheese 260 G

Photo of Maasdam Full Fat Hard Cheese Avg 300 g

Maasdam Full Fat Hard Cheese Avg 300 G

Photo of Paneer Medium Fat Semi Hard Cheese 200 g

Paneer Medium Fat Semi Hard Cheese 200 G

Photo of Boerenkaas Full Fat Hard Cheese Avg 220 g

Boerenkaas Full Fat Hard Cheese Avg 220 G

Photo of Frozen Panko Crumbed Chicken Breast Fillets 550 g

Frozen Panko Crumbed Chicken Breast Fillets 550 G

Photo of Grana Padano Medium Fat Hard Cheese 200 g

Grana Padano Medium Fat Hard Cheese 200 G

Photo of Cauliflower & Broccoli Florets in a Creamy Béchamel Sauce 750 g

Cauliflower & Broccoli Florets In A Creamy Béchamel Sauce 750 G

Photo of Free Range Smoked Chicken Breasts Avg 230 g

Free Range Smoked Chicken Breasts Avg 230 G

Photo of Lightly Dusted Crumbed Spicy Mini Chicken Breast Fillets Avg 400 g

Lightly Dusted Crumbed Spicy Mini Chicken Breast Fillets Avg 400 G

Photo of South African Grated Medium Fat Hard Cheese 60 g

South African Grated Medium Fat Hard Cheese 60 G

Photo of Sliced Free Range Smoked Chicken Breast 140 g

Sliced Free Range Smoked Chicken Breast 140 G

Photo of Chicken Breast Fillets Topped with Mozzarella & Spring Onion 800 g

Chicken Breast Fillets Topped With Mozzarella & Spring Onion 800 G

Photo of Italian Parmigiano Reggiano Medium Fat Hard Cheese 200 g

Italian Parmigiano Reggiano Medium Fat Hard Cheese 200 G

Photo of Orzo Pasta 500 g

Orzo Pasta 500 G

Photo of Lemon & Black Pepper Crumbed Chicken Breast Fillets Avg 500 g

Lemon & Black Pepper Crumbed Chicken Breast Fillets Avg 500 G

Photo of Grated Medium Fat Hard Cheese 60 g

Grated Medium Fat Hard Cheese 60 G

Photo of Free Range Crumbed Chicken Breast Fillets Avg 570 g

Free Range Crumbed Chicken Breast Fillets Avg 570 G

Photo of Butter Basted Chicken Breasts Avg 500 g

Butter Basted Chicken Breasts Avg 500 G

Photo of Cauliflower & Broccoli Florets in a Creamy Béchamel Sauce 250 g

Cauliflower & Broccoli Florets In A Creamy Béchamel Sauce 250 G

Photo of Sliced Spicy Butter Basted Chicken Breast 140 g

Sliced Spicy Butter Basted Chicken Breast 140 G

Photo of Frozen Crispy Chicken Breast Strips 400 g

Frozen Crispy Chicken Breast Strips 400 G

Photo of Skinless Chicken Mini Breast Fillets 400 g

Skinless Chicken Mini Breast Fillets 400 G

Photo of Sliced BBQ Chicken Breast 140 g

Sliced Bbq Chicken Breast 140 G

Photo of Hard Cheese Avg 200 g

Hard Cheese Avg 200 G

Photo of Free Range Skinless Chicken Breast 8 pk

Free Range Skinless Chicken Breast 8 Pk

Photo of Crumbed Chicken Breast Fillets Avg 900 g

Crumbed Chicken Breast Fillets Avg 900 G

Photo of Sliced Butter Basted Chicken Breast 140 g

Sliced Butter Basted Chicken Breast 140 G

Photo of Frozen Crispy Chicken Breast Strips 1 kg

Frozen Crispy Chicken Breast Strips 1 Kg

Photo of Skinless Chicken Breast Fillets Avg 1.5 kg

Skinless Chicken Breast Fillets Avg 1.5 Kg

Photo of Free Range Skinless Chicken Mini Breast Fillets 400 g

Free Range Skinless Chicken Mini Breast Fillets 400 G

Photo of Broccoli Florets 300 g

Broccoli Florets 300 G

Photo of Crumbed Chicken Breast Fillets Avg 535 g

Crumbed Chicken Breast Fillets Avg 535 G

Photo of Skinless Chicken Breast Fillets Avg 900 g

Skinless Chicken Breast Fillets Avg 900 G

Photo of Skinless Chicken Breast Avg 450 g

Skinless Chicken Breast Avg 450 G

Photo of Free Range Skinless Chicken Breast Avg 435 g

Free Range Skinless Chicken Breast Avg 435 G

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the preparation time for Creamy Chicken & Orzo?

The preparation time for Creamy Chicken & Orzo with charred broccoli & grated Italian-style hard cheese is between 20 and 25 minutes.

What is the total time required to make Creamy Chicken & Orzo with charred broccoli & grated Italian-style hard cheese?

The total time required to make Creamy Chicken & Orzo with charred broccoli & grated Italian-style hard cheese is between 20 and 25 minutes.

How many servings does Creamy Chicken & Orzo provide?

4 servings

What are the main ingredients in Creamy Chicken & Orzo?

Broccoli Florets, Creamy Pesto, Free-range Chicken Breast/s, Free-range Chicken Breasts, Grated Italian-style Hard Cheese, NOMU Italian Rub, Orzo Pasta

What is the nutritional information of Creamy Chicken & Orzo?

Calories: 970, Carbs: 72 grams, Fat: grams, Protein: 58.7 grams, Sugar: 7.5 grams, Salt: 821 grams

How do I prepare Creamy Chicken & Orzo?

TIME TO EAT: To the pot with the orzo, add the creamy pesto, the chicken, and seasoning. Loosen with the reserved pasta water if it’s too thick. Dish up the loaded orzo, top with the charred broccoli, and sprinkle over the grated cheese. Well done, Chef! CHICKEN: Place a pan over medium heat with a drizzle of oil. Coat the chicken with the NOMU rub. When hot, fry until golden and cooked through, 1-2 minutes per side. Remove from the pan, season, and set aside. BROCCOLI: Place a pan over medium-high heat with a drizzle of oil or a knob of butter. When hot, fry the broccoli until lightly charred, 5-6 minutes (shifting occasionally). Add a splash of water, cover with a lid, and simmer until al dente, 1-2 minutes. Alternatively, air fry at 200°C until cooked through, 8-10 minutes (shifting halfway). Remove from the pan and season. PASTA: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil for the orzo. Cook the orzo until al dente, 10-12 minutes. Drain, reserving a cup of the pasta water, and toss through a drizzle of olive oil.

What should be prepared from my kitchen to make Creamy Chicken & Orzo?

Broccoli Florets, Creamy Pesto, Free-range Chicken Breast/s, Free-range Chicken Breasts, Grated Italian-style Hard Cheese, NOMU Italian Rub, Orzo Pasta

How many calories does Creamy Chicken & Orzo have?

970 calories

How much fat content does Creamy Chicken & Orzo have?

grams