Mediterranean Chicken With Feta Cheese

Chef TanyaW's Note:

This is a delicious and LIGHT! pasta dish as well as quite easy to make. If you love meat, then double the chicken... in the recipe I halved the original amount and like it much better that way. I added the kalamata olives to the original recipe and find it makes it a much better dish (but I loved it before the addition). I also use less feta than called for since I reserve a portion without for myself... I don't like feta. 30 minutes total prep and cooking... I work the whole time it's cooking. Enjoy!

• Total Time: 35 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 8

• 12 ounces orzo pasta
• 1 lb chicken breast (boneless or skinless)
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 2 medium onions
• 4 teaspoons garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon basil
• 1 cup dry white wine
• 2 (14 ounce) cans diced tomatoes (Italian style)
• 8 ounces feta cheese (I use 4 ounces)
• 1/3 cup kalamata olive, chopped
• 1/2 cup fresh parsley leaves, chopped (optional)

Directions:

1. Bring water to boil for pasta, then follow package instructions and check for doneness (since recipes always take me a little longer than the stated time, I don't usually start cooking the pasta at the very beginning!).
2. Heat oil over medium heat in a large skillet.
3. Chop onions coarsely and add to pot.
4. Cut chicken into bite-size pieces and add to pot.
5. Raise heat to med-high.
6. Cook until chicken is not pink on the outside (about 3 minutes).
7. Add garlic, oregano, and basil and continue cooking chicken. Stir frequently.
8. When chicken is cooked through, stir in wine and cook 1 minute.
9. Add tomatoes with juice and continue cooking a few minutes until it becomes less juicy.
10. Stir in feta cheese and kalamata olives.
11. Garnish with parsley.
12. Serve over hot drained orzo -- sometimes I mix it all together.

Reviews

[Slim PA]

We really enjoyed this recipe. I made as directed substituting only corn pasta to accommodate my wife's gluten free diet. I chose penne but next time (and there will be a next time) will select something more delicate to complement the sauce. The wine in this dish really makes it sing. I used a chardonnay.I also used the full complement (8 oz.) of feta setting aside 2 oz. to sprinkle on top just before serving. Thanks for sharing Tanya! Made for PAC Spring 2012.