1/2cupcanned butter or cannellini or navy canned beans, drained and rinsed
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375F.
Drain and rinse the beans - set aside 1 ½ cups of the beans for the bean sauce and reserve the rest for the tomato topping.
Make the creamy bean sauce by adding the water, drained and rinsed beans, olive oil, salt, pepper and chicken stock paste to a blender and blend until creamy and fully combined. Set aside.
Add the chicken thighs to a bowl and season with 1 ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp pepper, ¾ tsp garlic powder, ¾ tsp onion powder and ¼ tsp chili flakes. Use your hands to make sure all of the chicken thighs get seasoned.
Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to an oven safe skillet over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, turn to medium heat and add the chicken thighs skin side down. Cook until the skin is golden brown, about 5-7 minutes. Flip the chicken and cook for another 5 minutes and then remove the chicken to a plate or bowl and set aside.
Add the diced onion to the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes until just softened. Then, add the minced garlic. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Add the chopped spinach and stir until wilted. Once the spinach is wilted, add the orzo and stir well to coat with the oils in the pan.
Add the bean sauce and stir to combine and bring to a simmer.
Once simmering, add the chicken back in over top of the orzo and any juices from the plate / bowl back to the pan as well.
Cover the pan with a lid or tin foil and bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through to 165F and the orzo is creamy.
While the chicken is cooking, make the tomato salad. In a medium bowl whisk together the lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper. Add the halved tomatoes and reserved beans and toss to combine. Add the herbs on top and wait to toss until just before serving.
When the chicken is done, toss the tomato salad with the herbs and then serve as a topping / side with the creamy orzo and chicken.
Notes
We love to meal prep this recipe too! Cook fully and divide into containers. Pack the tomato topping on the side and add after you warm-up your chicken & orzo