This Toasted Barley With Chicken It’s a tasty dish that you can prepare easily prepare lunch or dinner. It brings together the nutty goodness from toasted barley pasta with tender, perfectly seasoned chicken piecescreating a comforting dish full of flavor.
First we toast the barley to perfection, giving it a delicious crunch that pairs well with the tender chicken. Then we cook the chicken until it becomes juicy and tasty. The barley is then simmered together a mixture of aromatic herbs and vegetablesadding a burst of tasty goodness.
Whether it is an intimate dinner or a special meeting, our Toasted Barley With Chicken it’s a simple but elevated meal that everyone will love it.
What is barley
Barley is a type of pasta which has the shape of small grains of rice. Despite its rice-like appearance, orzo is made from wheat semolina or white flour, similar to traditional pasta. It is commonly used in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine and can be used in a variety of dishes, from soups and salads to main courses.
How to cook barley
Cooking barley is simple and similar to cooking other types of pasta. Boil a pan with salted water, add the barley and stir to prevent it from sticking. Let it cook for about 8-10 minutes until tender. Taste to see if it is cooked, then drain the orzo in a colander. If you want it to cool quickly or plan to use it in a salad, rinse it under cold water. Your barley is ready to shine in various dishes, hot or cold, your choice.
If you want to use toasted barley In your recipes, first heat a drizzle of olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the barley. Toast it for about 5-7 minutes, stirring constantly, until it turns golden. This step brings out the nutty flavor of the barley. From here add the water or vegetable broth and continue cooking until tender.
How to make this roasted orzo with chicken
Start by cutting the chicken into long strips. Season both sides with salt, freshly ground black pepper, garlic powder, and oregano. Set aside.
Next, toast the orzo by heating the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the orzo paste, stirring constantly, and toast for about 5-7 minutes until golden. Transfer the toasted barley to a bowl and set aside.
In the same pan, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Place the seasoned chicken in the pan and cook for 4-6 minutes on each side until golden brown. Make sure the chicken is cooked, then transfer to a plate.
Add the chopped onion to the pan and cook for 5 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Add the chilli and cook for an additional minute.
Stir in the tomato puree, dried oregano, basil and chilli flakes if using, cooking for a further 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add the toasted barley and pour in the vegetable or chicken broth. Season with salt and pepper and bring the mixture to the boil.
Reduce the heat to low and cook uncovered for about 15 minutes, allowing the barley to become tender and the liquid to be almost absorbed. Place the cooked chicken on top of the orzo and cook for another 2-3 minutes to heat through.
Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon slices, then enjoy this delicious dish with a fresh salad.
I hope you will try this simple and flavorful dish. If you do, don’t forget to tag me Instagram. I’d love to see how it turns out for you. Enjoy!
Other similar recipes you could try
Taste the irresistible mix of sweet and savory with usr Chicken Teriyaki served with rice grains and vegetables, for a perfect lunch or dinner.
Try our delicious Chicken Tikka Masala with succulent chicken in a flavorful blend of spices and serve alongside rice and naan bread.
This tasty Chicken and chorizo paella it’s a vibrant blend of tender chicken, spicy chorizo and perfectly seasoned rice, perfect for any occasion.
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Toasted Barley With Chicken
Roasted orzo with chicken is a tasty dish that you can easily prepare for lunch or dinner. It combines the nutty goodness of toasted orzo pasta with tender, perfectly seasoned chicken pieces, creating a dish that’s both comforting and full of flavor.
Ingredients
For the orzo pasta
- 2 table spoon olive oil
- 1 pound (500g) barley pasta
- 1 medium onion (about 6 ounces – 180 g)
- 5 garlic cloves chopped
- 1 red chili pepper (about 4 ounces – 120 g)
- 1 cup (240 g) tomato puree
- 5 ½ cups (1.3 liters) vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and freshly rounded black pepper
- Chilli flakes optional
Instructions
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Cut the chicken into long strips.
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Season the chicken on both sides with salt, freshly ground black pepper, garlic powder, and oregano. Set aside.
How to roast and cook barley.
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Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the orzo paste, stirring constantly, and toast for about 5-7 minutes until golden.
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Transfer the barley to a bowl and set aside.
How to cook chicken.
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Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the same pan and add the chicken to the pan and cook for about 4-6 minutes. Turn the chicken and cook for a further 4-6 minutes until golden brown. Check if the chicken is cooked.
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Transfer the chicken to a plate.
Fry the vegetables and simmer the barley
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Add the onion to the pan and cook for 5 minutes or until the onion has softened. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
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Add the chilli and cook for 1 minute.
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Add the tomato puree, dried oregano, basil and red pepper flakes, if using, and cook for a further 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
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Add the toasted orzo and vegetable or chicken broth. Season with salt and pepper and bring to the boil.
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Reduce the heat to low and cook, uncovered, for about 15 minutes or until the barley is tender and the liquid is almost absorbed.
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Place the chicken on top of the orzo and cook for a further 2-3 minutes to heat through.
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Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon slices and enjoy with a fresh salad.
Nutrition
Serve: 1 serving our of 6Calories: 618kcalCarbohydrates: 89.7GProtein: 39.3GFat: 13.9GSaturated fat: 1.8GCholesterol: 125mgSodium: 142mgPotassium: 1316mgFiber: 10.6GSugar: 10GSoccer: 469mgIron: 13mg
