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Summertime Orzo & Chicken Recipe

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This easy-as-can-be main dish is likely to become a summer staple at your house. It’s that good! If you prefer, grill the chicken breasts instead of cooking in a skillet. —Fran MacMillan, West Melbourne, Florida

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Summertime Orzo & Chicken Recipe

Prep/Total Time: 30 min.

Yield: 4 Servings

20 10 30

Ingredients

3/4 cup uncooked orzo pasta
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 medium cucumber, chopped
1 small red onion, chopped
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup crumbled reduced-fat feta cheese

Directions

Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet coated with cooking spray, cook chicken over medium heat for 6-8 minutes or until no longer pink.
In a large bowl, combine the cucumber, onion, parsley and chicken. Drain pasta; stir into chicken mixture. In a small bowl, whisk the lemon juice, oil, salt and pepper. Pour over chicken mixture; toss to coat. Serve warm or cold. Just before serving, sprinkle with cheese. Yield: 4 servings.

Nutritional Facts 1-1/4 cups orzo mixture with 1 tablespoon cheese equals 323 calories, 7 g fat (2 g saturated fat), 65 mg cholesterol, 742 mg sodium, 33 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 30 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 fat.

Originally published as Summertime Orzo & Chicken in Taste of Home August/September 2010, p38

The History of Feta

FETA is a white, salty, semi-firm cheese. Traditionally it was made from sheep or goat's milk but is now also made with cow's milk. After feta is formed in a special mold, it's sliced into large pieces, salted and soaked in brine. Although feta cheese is mostly associated with Greek cooking, "feta" comes from the Italian word "fette", meaning slice of food.

Light-Bodied White Wine

Enjoy this recipe with a light-bodied white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.

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Reviews for Summertime Orzo & Chicken (17)

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Summertime Orzo & Chicken

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Reviewed on May. 27, 2011 by mjlouk

I had to replace the feta with mozzarella b/c my DH doesn't like Feta so maybe that's why it didn't have much flavor. It definitely needs to be made a day ahead so the flavors can meld.

Reviewed on Oct. 23, 2010 by jmaguin

Wonderful! This recipe has become one of my family staples. Great as leftovers.

Reviewed on Oct. 15, 2010 by Mommaof3DempseyGirls

I have made this several times, and with different variations, such as using a different pasta, with or without chicken, doubling or tripling the lemon and oil mixture, adding minced or crushed garlic to the mixture, and using sea salt. It was a hit at a recent potluck and everyone asked for the recipe. It is a wonderful recipe and can be fit to appeal to your own tastes. Very versatile and I highly recommend it to anyone needing something different.

Reviewed on Sep. 29, 2010 by lorischlecht

This was quick to make and even better than I thought it would be. I cooked the onions with the chicken because I don't like raw onions, and left out the feta. I'll definitely make it again.

Reviewed on Sep. 28, 2010 by milosmommy

I loved this recipe. I am not a fan of cucumbers so I left them out. It was easy to make and cheap! I will make again. My husband didn't love it though. He thought the onions were a bit overpowering.

Reviewed on Sep. 13, 2010 by lalakerfan

We made this recipe twice already! The flavor is great and refreshing. We even added asparagus to it the second time and that was a wonderful addition too! The guest we had for dinner the first time we made it was sold on the dish. We recommend it to all our friends whom like to cook, but need an easy recipe that is delish!

Reviewed on Sep. 08, 2010 by Figerre

We added green grapes, grape or pear tomatoes and used 4-cheese combination instead of feta

Reviewed on Sep. 08, 2010 by Figerre

we make this orzo salad every month - delicious for lunch at work!!

Reviewed on Sep. 07, 2010 by Mary_1959

Simple and absolutely delicious. Can't go wrong with this one!

Reviewed on Aug. 23, 2010 by Songy2

Delicious. I also tried it with shrimp and it is just as good. A great summer meal!

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