An easy way to use the best vegetables of the season. Incredibly flavorful, delightful and a crowd pleaser!
Summer Vegetable Orzo with Basil Vinaigrette
Course: Lunch
Keyword: Easy Lunch, Seasonal Favorites, Under 30 Minutes, Weeknight Meals
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Denise
Ingredients
- 4 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 small yellow onion or 1/2 large yellow onion diced
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 1/2 tsp dried basil
- 2 cups orzo
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1-2 zucchini squash ends trimmed and cut lengthwise into thirds
- 2 ears corn
- 8 oz chicken tenders
- Olive oil
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- 4 oz goat cheese
Vinaigrette:
- 1/2 cup fresh basil chopped
- 2 Tbsp honey
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp kosher salt
Garnish:
- Fresh basil
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Instructions
- Heat a medium stockpot over medium high heat. Add butter, garlic, onion, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder and dried basil. Mix well. Cook 4-5 minutes or until fragrant.
- Add orzo and turn down to medium heat. Toast orzo for 3 minutes or until butter is incorporated.
- Add chicken broth and raise heat to high. Once boiling, turn heat down to low and cover.
- Drizzle zucchini, corn and chicken tenders with olive oil and sprinkle with kosher salt and pepper. Cook on grill over medium high heat. Cook 4-5 minutes on each side. Note, corn will take a few extra minutes on each side. Be careful to not overcook vegetables as you still want a slight bite to them.
- Cut chicken tenders and zucchini into small pieces, roughly 3/4” in diameter. Cut corn off cob.
- Once orzo has fully absorbed liquid, remove fork heat. Add splash (1 Tbsp) of lemon juice and gently incorporate.
- In a large bowl, combine chicken, zucchini, corn and cooked orzo. Set aside.
- Combine all ingredients for dressing in small bowl. Whisk well. Pour 1/2 of dressing over orzo and gently toss.
- Plate orzo. Crumble goat cheese evenly on plates. Drizzle remaining dressing over top. Garnish with any extra fresh basil.
Notes
Serves 4-6
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