Meal Kit

Lemon Thyme Chicken Orzo

with kale and grape tomatoes

Prep & Cook Time: 30-40 min.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate

Spice Level: Not Spicy

Cook Within: 5 days

Contains: Milk, Wheat

All ingredients are individually packaged, but our central facility is not certified allergen-free. Furthermore, ingredient contents may vary. Please check ingredient packaging for allergens and nutrition facts. If you have serious allergies, please use your best judgment or consult a health professional to decide if our meals are safe for you!
A note about serious food allergies

This meal is all about joining, in that you'll be as glad as ever that you joined Home Chef after one simple bite. Orzo pasta is joined by Parmesan, lemon, kale, and tomatoes, which results in a hearty, creamy bed of deliciousness on which to rest a juicy seared chicken breast. We wish we could join you in eating this fantastic meal!

In Your Box (serves 2)

  • 13 oz. Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
  • 1 Lemon
  • 4 oz. Kale
  • 4 oz. Grape Tomatoes
  • Info
    4 oz. Orzo Pasta
  • Info
    2 oz. Grated Parmesan
  • 1 Shallot
  • 2 tsp. Chicken Broth Concentrate
  • Info
    ⅓ oz. Butter
  • 2 Garlic Cloves
  • 3 Thyme Sprigs

Due to our just-in-time sourcing model, we may have to send you a substitute ingredient. Not to worry! We make sure every ingredient sent to you meets our high quality standards. We’ll keep you informed should a switch occur, so please check the ingredient labels in your meal bag.

  • Nutrition (per serving)

  • Calories
    670
  • Carbohydrates
    61g
  • Net Carbs
    54g
  • Fat
    21g
  • Protein
    58g
  • Sodium
    1680mg

Recipe Steps

You Will Need

  • Olive Oil
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Cooking Spray
  • 1 Medium Pot
  • 1 Baking Sheet
  • 1 Large Non-Stick Pan

Before You Cook

Cooking Guidelines

To ensure food safety, the FDA recommends the following as minimum internal cooking temperatures:

  • Steak and Pork 145° F (rest cooked meat, 3 minutes) |
  • Seafood 145° F |
  • Chicken 165° F |
  • Ground Beef 160° F |
  • Ground Turkey 165° F |
  • Ground Pork 160° F
  1. 1

    Prepare the Ingredients

    Peel and mince shallot.

    Mince garlic.

    Zest and halve lemon. Quarter one half and juice the remaining half.

    Stem and coarsely chop thyme.

    Stem and coarsely chop kale.

    Halve tomatoes.

    Pat chicken breasts dry, and season both sides with a pinch of salt and pepper.

  2. 2

    Cook the Chicken

    Heat a large non-stick pan over medium heat and add 1/2 tsp. olive oil. Add chicken to hot pan and sear undisturbed until browned, 4-5 minutes.

    Transfer chicken to prepared baking sheet, seared side up. Roast in hot oven until chicken reaches a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees, 10-12 minutes.

    Rest cooked chicken 5 minutes. Reserve pan; no need to wipe clean.

    While chicken roasts, start orzo.

  3. 3

    Start the Orzo

    Add orzo to boiling water and cook until al dente, 8-10 minutes.

    Reserve 3/4 cup pasta cooking water. Drain orzo in a wire-mesh strainer. Set aside.

    While orzo boils, cook vegetables.

  4. 4

    Cook the Vegetables

    Return pan used to sear chicken to medium heat. Add 1/2 tsp. olive oil and shallot to hot pan and stir often until tender, 4-6 minutes.

    Add garlic and cook until aromatic, 30 seconds.

    Add reserved pasta cooking water, chicken base, 1 tsp. lemon juice, and half the thyme (reserve remaining for garnish) and stir until incorporated. Raise heat to high.

    Bring to a boil. Once boiling, cook until liquid is reduced by half, 3-5 minutes.

    Stir in kale and cook until wilted, 2-3 minutes.

  5. 5

    Finish Orzo and Finish Dish

    Reduce heat to medium. Stir in orzo, tomatoes, Parmesan, and butter. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Remove from burner.

    Plate dish as pictured on front of card, garnishing chicken with reserved thyme and 1/2 tsp. lemon zest. Squeeze lemon wedges over to taste. Bon appétit!

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