Creamy Chicken Orzo Pasta Dish (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Base ingredients

01 - A splash of olive oil (1 tablespoon)
02 - 2 tablespoons of creamy butter
03 - 1 tablespoon tomato paste for richness
04 - 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, packed with flavor
05 - A pinch of dried oregano (1/2 teaspoon)
06 - 4 cloves of fresh garlic, minced
07 - A kick of crushed red pepper flakes (1/4 teaspoon)

→ Pasta and liquids

08 - 1 cup of orzo pasta, uncooked
09 - 1/2 cup of your favorite dry white wine
10 - 1.5 cups of savory chicken broth
11 - 1 cup of rich heavy cream

→ Finishing touches

12 - 2 cups of tender cooked chicken, shredded
13 - 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
14 - A handful of fresh basil leaves, torn
15 - Sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

# Instructions:

01 - Start by warming your pot over medium-high heat. Toss in the olive oil, butter, tomato paste, sun-dried tomatoes, oregano, garlic, red pepper flakes, and orzo. Let everything dance together for 2-3 minutes once the butter melts, giving it frequent stirs to wake up all those flavors.
02 - Pour in that white wine and let it bubble away for about a minute, releasing its gorgeous aroma. Now add your chicken broth and cream, bringing everything to a gentle simmer - think lazy bubbles, not a rolling boil.
03 - Keep things simmering gently for 10 minutes uncovered, showing the pot some love with regular stirs to prevent the orzo from sticking. You might need to turn down the heat to medium or medium-low - we want a gentle simmer, not a volcanic eruption!
04 - Now for the grand finale - fold in your shredded chicken, parmesan, and fresh basil. Take the pot off the heat, cover it up, and let it rest for 3-5 minutes until it reaches that perfect, creamy consistency. Season with salt and pepper until it makes you smile.

# Notes:

01 - If your pasta seems thirsty and is absorbing liquid too quickly, don't hesitate to add an extra splash of broth or cream.
02 - For a thicker sauce, simply keep the pot covered a bit longer - the orzo will drink up the extra liquid like a charm.

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