Orzo pasta, chicken and Asian flavours in one plate, it’s a delicious one pot meal…
On a busy day or on a lazy day or on any day, a plate of quick fix pasta tastes delicious. Just like noodles, pasta has been a true blessing many a time. In the pasta family, I have a soft corner towards orzo pasta; they resemble to rice, looks cute, cooks fast and tastes delicious too. I tend to add orzo pasta to my soups and they will make the soup hearty.
The other day, I made Asian style chicken stir fry with peppers, to make it into a complete dish I first thought of adding noodles. Then, seeing the orzo pasta in the pantry, I changed my decision. Sometimes, while cooking change in plans happen abruptly, most of the times I’d loved those sudden changes.
You get to taste the Asian flavours, peppers, chicken and orzo pasta from this plate. You could add any kind of pasta or even noodles.
- Oil- 1 tbsp
- Ginger, grated- 1inch slice
- Garlic, minced- 1 clove
- Chicken breast or thighs, diced small- 2
- Ground pepper- ½ tsp
- Salt- to taste
- Green pepper, cubed- 1
- Red pepper, cubed- 1
- Soy sauce- 1½ tbsp + 1 tbsp
- Hoisin sauce- 1 tbsp
- Sambal oelek or chili paste- ¾ tsp
- Orzo pasta- 1½ cups
- Basil leaves, chopped- 4 leaves
- Cilantro, chopped- 2 handfuls
- Green onions, chopped- 1 stalk
- Sesame oil- 1 tsp
- Cook 1½ cups orzo pasta in boiling water, seasoned with salt till they turn tender. Drain the water and drizzle 1 tbsp oil over the cooked orzo, keep aside.
- Place a wok or large non-stick pan over medium heat, add oil.
- Add ginger and garlic to the oil, saute till golden in colour.
- Add the diced chicken, season with ground pepper and salt, combine well.
- Cook covered till chicken is almost cooked.
- Add green pepper and red pepper and cook for a couple of minutes.
- Add 1½ tbsp soy sauce, hoisin sauce and sambal oelek, combine well and cook till peppers are almost cooked. Do not over cook the peppers.
- Add the cooked orzo, combine well.
- Add 1 tbsp more soy sauce, basil leaves, cilantro and green onions, combine well and cook for a couple of minutes.
- Finally, drizzle sesame oil, combine well and stir fry for a few seconds.
- Remove the pan from the heat.
- Serve the Asian style chicken orzo on a plate and enjoy.
