Creamy Feta Sauce & Roasted Cranberries Recipe
A delicious Honey Garlic Chicken & Orzo Skillet featuring tender chicken pieces cooked in a creamy feta sauce, accented with sweet honey and roasted cranberries for a perfect balance of flavors. This one-pan meal is easy to prepare and ideal for a comforting weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet Cooking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Low Salt
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Sauce and Pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1 tablespoon honey
Toppings and Garnish
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces and cook until golden brown and fully cooked through, about 6 to 8 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Cook Orzo: Add the orzo pasta and chicken broth to the skillet. Bring to a simmer and cook until the orzo is tender, about 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Creamy Feta Sauce: Stir in the heavy cream, honey, and crumbled feta cheese into the orzo mixture. Cook for a few minutes until the sauce is creamy and everything is well combined.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss to coat it fully in the creamy feta sauce.
- Add Cranberries: Gently stir in the dried cranberries and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, allowing them to warm and slightly plump.
- Season and Garnish: Season the dish with salt and black pepper to taste. Remove from heat and garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken breasts with boneless thighs for a juicier texture.
- If you prefer, swap dried cranberries with fresh or frozen cranberries, but adjust cooking time accordingly.
- For a lighter version, use half-and-half or milk instead of heavy cream.
- Ensure the orzo is fully cooked but not mushy for the best texture.
- Serve with a side of steamed vegetables or a fresh salad to complete the meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
Keywords: Honey garlic chicken, orzo skillet, creamy feta sauce, roasted cranberries, one-pan meal, easy dinner, Mediterranean chicken recipe