Recipe: Creamy Chicken & Orzo

Adapted from a Rachael Ray recipe.  This can easily be made into a vegetarian meal by omitting the chicken!

Ingredients:
-2 large chicken breasts, diced and seasoned as desired
-1 cup orzo
-16 oz. Half & Half
-3/4 cup of Parmesan cheese, grated finely (fresh - not the canned stuff!)
-1 small to medium onion, chopped finely
-1 clove garlic, minced
-1 lemon, halved
-1 small package of frozen broccoli, cooked
-4 tbsp. unsalted butter
-salt and pepper

Directions:
-Cook orzo according to directions (approx. 7 to 9 minutes until Al Dente).  For more flavor, cook in chicken broth rather than plain water.  Once complete, drain and set aside.  Add 1 tbsp. of butter to the orzo to further season and keep it from sticking together.
-Melt 2 tbsp. of butter in a large skillet and add chicken.  Saute chicken until no longer pink.  Squeeze the juice of half of the lemon over the chicken and continue to cook until golden brown.  Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon and set aside.
-Add the remaining 1 tbsp. of butter to the bottom of the skillet.  Once melted, add the onions and garlic.  Saute until the onions are llightly browned and softened.  Slowly add in the Half & Half, whisking continuously for 2 to 3 minutes until thickened.
-Slowly add in the Parmesan cheese, continuing to whisk for 1 to 2 minutes until the cheese is melted and there are no lumps.
-Reduce heat to low and add the chicken and cooked broccoli into the cream sauce.  If you enjoy a stronger lemon flavor, squeeze the other half of the lemon into the sauce at this time.  Allow it to simmer for a few minutes to allow the flavors to combine. (I let it simmer for about 5 minutes)
-Add in the cooked orzo and stir completely.  Let the skillet sit for a couple of minutes to heat all the way through. 

Serves 2 to 3 adults

The best thing about this dish is that you could use so many different vegetables and seasonings with it.  The sauce is a good base and can be jazzed up any way you like.  I added red pepper flakes to ours to give it a little heat.  Omit the chicken and you have a great veggie dish!