Spinach & Basil Pesto Chicken with Lemon Orzo (GF & DF)
I’m cranking through on this no nightshade situation. This recipe is a little more complicated than what I usually post, but it was really filling, gluten free friendly.
I listened to a podcast called “How I Built This” by Guy Raz, and he had the creator of Jovial Pasta on, and I am truly sold on their brand and will be a loyal client forever. Plus now they offer grain free options, which I prefer.
*If you are vegan/vegetarian, you could easily eat this without the chicken and mix the pesto in with the orzo!
INGREDIENTS
CHICKEN
- 3-4 chicken breasts
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp salt & pepper
- 2 tsp oregano
- 2 tbs avocado oil
- 2-3 tbs vegan butter
- 4-6 cloves of garlic, minced
- one yellow onion chopped
- 1 cup dry white wine
- juice of one lemon
1 Box Jovial Cassava Flour Orzo
PESTO
- 1 1/2 cup spinach leaves
- 3/4 cup basil leaves
- 1/2 cup pine nuts
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
- 4 cloves garlic
- salt & pepper
- zest from one lemon
- juice from one lemon
- 2/3 cup olive oil
PROCESSS
Cook orzo pasta as directed on box, once cooked, drain and pour 2 tbs olive oil and mix. I prefer to tenderize my chicken when cooking on the skillet, if you prefer to grill you can, however the juices from the chicken are used to make the lemon/butter sauce.
Between two pieces of plastic, tenderize the chickens with meat mallet until 1/2 in thick or thickness desired. Pat dry with paper towel, and season with garlic powder, salt and pepper, and oregano on both sides. Heat avocado oil on medium/high heat in skillet and place chicken in pan. Cook 3-5 minutes per side.
Using same skillet, remove chicken and turn heat to medium/low, add butter and melt. Once butter is melted add onion and garlic, stirring. Add wine to deglaze the pan, and let it simmer to reduce by half. Stir in lemon juice and salt.
For pesto, mix all ingredients in a food processor.
To plate, mix orzo with garlic and lemon sauce. Place chicken on top and top with pesto. I used a spicy salt to garnish!
You can also use vegan parmesan cheese or basil to garnish!