Herby Chicken Kebabs with Olive-Studded Orzo
Bring a little taste of the Mediterranean home tonight with these easy herbed chicken skewers served with saucy, olive-studded orzo.
Photo: Ted Gibson
Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.
See Also Lemony Catfish Kebobs on Wild Rice
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp chopped garlic
- 1/4 to 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, or to taste (TRY: Simply Organic Crushed Red Pepper)
- 2 14 1/2-oz BPA-free cans unsalted diced tomatoes
- 1 1.2 cups whole-wheat orzo
- 1/4 plus 1/8 tsp sea salt, divided
- 3/4 tsp fresh ground black pepper, divided
- 12 boneless, skinless chicken tenders (about 1 1/4 lb)
- Olive oil cooking spray
- 1 tbsp unsalted Mediterranean herb blend
- 1/3 cup pitted Kalamata olives, chopped
- 2 oz crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
Equipment:
- 4 metal skewers
Preparation
- Arrange oven rack about 6 inches from top heat source and preheat broiler to high. In a large skillet on medium, heat oil. Add garlic and pepper flakes and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add tomatoes and 2 cups boiling water. Increase heat to high, cover and bring to a boil. Add orzo, 1⁄8 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper and stir to combine. Reduce heat to medium-high and simmer, uncovered, for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and continue simmering until orzo is al dente, 4 to 6 minutes more, stirring occasionally.
- Once orzo is simmering, thread 3 chicken tenders on each of 4 metal skewers and place on a large rimmed baking sheet. Mist with cooking spray and sprinkle with herb blend, remaining 1/4 tsp salt and remaining 1/2 tsp black pepper. Broil for about 8 minutes, turning once, until no longer pink in thickest part and temperature reaches 165°F on an instant-read thermometer. (TIME-SAVING TIP: Chop olives and mint while chicken and orzo are cooking.)
- To orzo, stir in olives. Divide among serving plates and sprinkle with cheese. Top each with 1 skewer and sprinkle with mint.
Nutrition Information
- Serving Size 1 1/2 cups orzo and 1 chicken skewer
- Calories 522
- Carbohydrate Content 59 g
- Cholesterol Content 91 mg
- Fat Content 14 g
- Fiber Content 7 g
- Protein Content 42 g
- Saturated Fat Content 4 g
- Sodium Content 573 mg
- Sugar Content 8 g
- Monounsaturated Fat Content 0 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat Content 2 g