Provencal Chicken with Rosemary Orzo

This was a great dish. Michael loved it all and I thought the orzo was so simple yet super flavorful! I forgot to drain the can of tomatoes so it took me longer to reduce the sauce, so please do not make the same mistake I did 🙂 Although I did not eat the chicken, I knew this was going to be a good one because I love these flavors. Tomatoes, Olives, Leeks and White Wine, OH MY! YUM! Enjoy!

Check out those boiling bubbles!!!

Provencal Chicken with Rosemary Orzo
Recipe adapted from Gourmet

Provencal Chicken
Serves 6

6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup dry white wine
2 garlic cloves, minced
white part of 4 leeks, halved lengthwise, sliced 1/4 inch thick crosswise, washed well, and drained (make sure to drain!)
2 cups chicken broth
a 28-to-32 ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
1 teaspoon freshly grated orange zest
1 cup drained Niçoise or Kalamata olives

Pat chicken dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. In a large heavy flameproof casserole pan or deep skillet, heat oil over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking and brown chicken in 2 batches, transferring with tongs as browned to a large plate.

Turn on the fan, unless you want to the smoke detector going off 🙂 Add wine to casserole and boil, scraping up browned bits, until almost evaporated. Add garlic, leeks, broth, tomatoes, zest, and chicken with any juices accumulated on plate and simmer, covered, turning chicken once, until chicken is cooked through, about 15-20 minutes. Transfer chicken to a platter.

Add olives to tomato mixture and boil sauce until thickened slightly. Season sauce with salt and pepper and serve with chicken and rosemary orzo.

Rosemary Orzo

Serves 6

1 pound orzo
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves

Bring a 6-quart saucepan of salted water to a boil and cook orzo until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain orzo well and in a large bowl toss with oil, rosemary, and salt and pepper to taste.

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