Asparagus and chicken thigh orzo

Prep time
15min
Cook time
25min
Serves
4

A quick and easy one-pot meal perfect for a weeknight dinner.

Ingredients:

  • 4 Southern Coated Chicken Thighs
  • 1 cup (250g) orzo
  • 250g asparagus, sliced
  • 3 Tbsp (45ml) olive oil
  • ½ cup (100g) breadcrumbs
  • 1 garlic, minced
  • 1 lemon zest
  • 2 Tbsp (30ml) lemon juice
  • 50g olives, halved
  • ¼ cup (60ml) dill, roughly chopped

Method:

  1. Preheat the oven to 180°C and cook chicken thighs for 20-25 minutes, turning the chicken halfway through cooking. Bring a large salted pot of water to a boil and cook the orzo according to packet instructions. Two minutes before draining the pasta, add asparagus. Drain pasta and asparagus, and reserve half a cup of pasta water.
  2. Heat the oil in your pasta pot to medium, toast breadcrumbs for about 2 minutes, add lemon zest and garlic and cook for a further 1 minute, careful not to let the crumbs scorch.
  3. Stir in lemon juice and olives, return orzo and asparagus to the pot and add 2 Tbsp pasta water to the pot. Garnish with dill and serve immediately with chicken thighs.