The Humpherys Family

Orzo with Chicken, Mushrooms, Peppers

Recipe Added:  12/4/2011
2 chicken breasts, cut into chunks
1-2 red peppers, chopped
1 cup mushrooms, quartered
1 tsp dried thyme
3 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 lb orzo pasta
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 Tbsp fresh parsley
Squeeze of fresh lemon juice
Bring large pot of salted water to a boil. Add orzo and cook according to pkg directions until tender. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, drain, and set aside. In a large skillet, heat 1 Tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Add chicken to hot oil and brown on all sides. Add peppers, mushrooms and thyme. Stir and let cook about 5 minutes, until chicken is cooked through and mushrooms and peppers have softened and browned. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute.

In skillet over medium heat, add softened cream cheese in chunks and stir to melt and coat chicken and vegetables. Add 1 cup pasta water and bring to a simmer. Add salt and pepper and stir. Add orzo, Parmesan, lemon juice and fresh parsley. Stir to combine and heat through. Garnish with additional Parmesan and parsley.
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