Oven-Roasted Chicken and Orzo “Fiesta” with Vibrant Vegetables and Cranberry Goat Cheese Drizzle

Ingredients

Main Components:

- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 large tomatoes, diced
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh or canned)
- 1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup shredded cheese (Monterey Jack or Cheddar)
- 2 cups tortilla strips
- 2 large potatoes, diced
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 2 cups fresh spinach

Orzo and Toppings:

- 1 cup orzo
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup goat cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup apple cider
- 2 tablespoons sugar

Dessert Garnish:

- 1/4 cup Andes Mint pieces
- 1/4 cup chocolate, melted (for drizzling)

Instructions

1. Preparation:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

2. Roasting the Chicken and Vegetables:
- In a bowl, toss the chicken breasts, diced tomatoes, corn, black beans, diced potatoes, and broccoli florets with a drizzle of olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Spread the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Roast in the oven for about PT30M, 30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
- In the last 5 minutes, sprinkle shredded cheese over the mixture and allow it to melt.

3. Cooking the Orzo:
- While the chicken and vegetables are roasting, cook the orzo according to the package instructions.
- Drain and set aside.

4. Spinach Preparation:
- Heat a small skillet over medium heat.
- Sauté the spinach until just wilted, then remove from heat.

5. Cranberry Goat Cheese Drizzle:
- In a small saucepan, combine apple cider and sugar.
- Simmer on low heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves.
- Remove from heat and stir in cranberries and crumbled goat cheese until smooth.

6. Assembly:
- On a serving platter, spread a layer of orzo.
- Top with the roasted chicken and vegetable mixture.
- Sprinkle crumbled bacon over the top.
- Drizzle with the cranberry goat cheese sauce.
- Garnish with tortilla strips.

7. Dessert Garnish:
- For a sweet finishing touch, drizzle Andes mint pieces and melted chocolate over the dish as a dessert plate or alongside the savory components for an intriguing contrast.

Total Time

PT50M
50 minutes

Type of Dish

Dinner

Keywords

Chicken dinner, oven-roast recipe, fiesta orzo, cranberry goat cheese, roasted vegetables, tortilla strips, easy dinner, vibrant vegetables, orzo recipe, gourmet family meal

Recipe Yield

Feeds 4 adults

Calories

Total: 3,200 calories (approximately 800 calories per serving)

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