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One Skillet Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken and Orzo, the perfect spring time dinner that’s quick, easy, and healthy…ish. Pan seared chicken breasts, stuffed with goat cheese, walnuts, basil, and honey. Cooked together with orzo pasta for a complete dinner made in just ONE skillet. There’s even some Tuscan kale thrown in for a pop of green. Truly one of those all in one dinners that just about everyone will love.
I know I talked about this yesterday, but I’m so excited that spring is here. To kick things off, I shared one of my all-time favorite cakes on Instagram yesterday. Ever since I’ve been in full on SPRING mode (and very ready for fresh strawberries). I can’t wait for Easter this year, and love that it’s late into April. Looking forward to carrot cake, quiches, fresh salads, and hopefully so much more.
I have about t-minus 10 days left of work on a major project with a major deadline – sorry there was no post on Tuesday! This is the first time in my “adult life” that I’ve fully realized I took on way more than a single person could manage. There’s no sugar-coating it, it’s been a tiring last few months, but tiring in both good and bad ways. I’m really so excited about everything we are working on, but balance (and delegating) are something I’m finding very difficult. Even though it’s been hard, I’m trying to learn with every day, and to work to make the next day better. Trying being the key word. Positivity is not my strongest trait, but I’m slowly working towards it. Good and bad days, but working on it!
Anyway, none of this has anything to do with today’s recipe, but I just kind of wanted to share a little of what’s happening behind the scenes.
Moving along to today’s recipe.
Yes, I am sharing another skillet recipe. I really hope you guys are as into these skillet recipes as I am. Because just when I think I couldn’t possibly come up with another, I do. And I love it just as much as the last one…maybe more, depending on the day.
To be honest, I am not sure quite where the inspiration for this recipe came from. I’d made a dish with walnuts and goat cheese the previous day and had the idea in my head that a goat cheese stuffed chicken could be really delicious. I’ve stuffed a whole roasted chicken with goat cheese before (recipe in the HBH cookbook), but never chicken breasts. And never with the combo of walnuts, basil, and honey. The combo sounded really good, so I decided to test it out. And while the first trial needed some tweaking, the flavors were spot on.
I wanted to keep this on the simple side. Now that it’s spring, it’s time simple quicker dishes, a little less time in the kitchen, and more time outside. Yes, I may be getting ahead of myself, but you know, wishful thinking.
The trickiest part about this recipe is stuffing the chicken, which truly isn’t tricky at all. Just slice the chicken breast in half and stuff goat cheese, walnuts, and basil inside. Close it up and sear the chicken in a large oven safe skillet. It’s important to remember that it’s OK if some of the goat cheese filling spills out into the skillet. Essentially everything is all going in that very same skillet, so I promise, all will be OK.
Once you’ve seared the chicken, add the orzo, and a few handfuls of kale (you could also use spinach). Let everything cook together in the oven until the chicken is golden, the cheese is melty, and the orzo is soft. In total, it all takes about 45 minutes, and a lot of that time is spent cooking in the oven.
As for taste? Well, I think you can guess from the ingredient list that the flavors in this dish are delicious. I love the tangy goat cheese paired with basil and sweet honey. It tastes indulgent, but it’s actually a pretty balanced meal. With the creamy goat cheese stuffed inside, the chicken really melts in your mouth. If you wanted to keep the dish extra healthy, try swapping the orzo for quinoa or farro, both will have similar cooking times.
Perfect light, springy dinner that will easily carry over into the summer months.
If you make this one skillet stuffed chicken, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to also tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
One Skillet Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken and Orzo.
Servings: 4
Calories Per Serving: 709 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 4 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
- 1 cup fresh basil, chopped, plus more for serving
- 1/4 cup toasted walnuts, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes, add to your taste
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated
- 1 cup dry orzo pasta
- 3 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 bunch kale, roughly torn
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. 2. In a medium bowl, combine the goat cheese, basil, walnuts, thyme, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper. 3. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Slice the chicken through the middle horizontally to within a 1/2 inch of the other side. Open the two sides and spread them out like an open book. Spread the goat cheese mix evenly on one side. Drizzle honey over the cheese. Close the chicken sides like a book over the filling. It's OK is some is peeking out. 4. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet set over medium high heat. When the oil is shimmering, add the chicken and sear on both sides until golden, about 3-5 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the skillet. Be careful when flipping the chicken to keep the cheese inside, it's OK if some falls into the pan.5. To the same skillet, add the butter, garlic, and orzo. Cook until the garlic is fragrant and the orzo toasted, about 2-3 minutes. Add the chicken broth, kale, and balsamic vinegar. Bring to a boil over high heat and stir. Slide the chicken, and any juices/cheese left on the plate, back into the skillet. Transfer to the oven and roast for 10-15 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.6. Serve the chicken topped with fresh basil. EAT!
So delicious! My family loved it. Pretty straightforward to make & healthy enough. I added a lot more stuffed chicken since my family eats a lot haha and used spinach instead of kale. Definitely a keeper!
Thank you Shannon! xTieghan
If you are allergic to walnuts, anything you’d add as an alternative? Would pecans work?
Hi Caitlin,
Yes pecans or any other nut would be great to use! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Tieghan… this was hands down one of the best meals I have ever had !!! You are simply amazing !!!
Thanks so much !!
Wow that is amazing!! Thank you Judi! xTieghan
Would like to make this using Arborio rice. Would you adjust the time and broth measurement?
Hi Amy,
That would be a great idea, I would keep everything the same! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
We have a nut allergy in the house – any suggestions on a substitution for the walnuts? for a crunch?
Hi Eileen,
I would just leave the nuts out. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Made this tonight and it was a fan favorite of both my husband and my 2.5 year old! Definitely will be in our normal rotation.
Thank you so much Kayla! xTieghan
Could this be done all on stovetop rather than oven?
Yes, you can easily cook this all the way through by using the stove. That works great! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you!! xTieghan
This was so easy to make and a big hit in my house! Thank you!
Thank you Julie! xTieghan
Hi there, excited to make this tonight! Just wanted to ask, how long should everything boil before adding the chicken back in and transferring to the oven? Thanks!
Hi Rachael,
You are simply just bringing to a boil and then adding the chicken back. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
If i use farfalle pasta or gemelli, cooking time the same you think? This looks fabulous!
Yes, it should be! I hope you love this Laura! xTieghan
We added asparagus to this and it was delicious! Can’t wait to make it again!
Thank you so much Tracy! I hope you continue to love this and others! xTieghan
This was amazing! I might try it with pine nuts instead of walnuts next time. Do you think it could freeze okay? I’m only one person and I can’t really have any guests during all my covid cooking.
Thanks for these great recipes to keep me busy!
Danielle
HI! Yes, this should freeze really well! Great idea! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you!! xTieghan
Hi, this looks amazing! Would it turn out just as well with a skillet just on the stove? I have an unreliable microwave oven but would really like to try
Hi! Yes, you can easily cook this all the way through by using the stove. That works great! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you!! xTieghan
I made this for dinner tonight. We loved it! It came together easy, but looks and tastes like you worked all day. I wouldn’t change a thing!
Thank you so much Carol! xTieghan
Amazing! My entire family LOVED this recipe! I added 1/2 cup dry white wine to deglaze pan! Fabulous!
That is so amazing to hear! Thank you Erica! xTieghan