Skip to main content
Pesto Pulled Chicken Orzo
Pesto Pulled Chicken Orzo

Pesto Pulled Chicken Orzo

with Spinach, Peas and Cheese

Recipe Development Team
Recipe Development TeamUpdated on September 25, 2025

Not to be confused with rice, orzo is actually a type of pasta. Our Pesto Pulled Chicken Orzo uses basil pesto to flavour the orzo, with fresher flavours coming from spinach and peas. HIGH PROTEIN - Protein contributes to the maintenance of muscle mass.

Tags:
Calorie Smart
New
Low Carb
High Protein
Family Friendly
Allergens:
Cereals containing gluten
Wheat
Milk
Egg

The quantities provided above are averages only.

Boxes and ingredients are packed in facilities that handles Peanut, Nuts, Sesame, Fish, Crustaceans, Milk, Egg, Mustard, Celery, Soya, Gluten and Sulphites. Due to the war in Ukraine, it has been necessary to substitute sunflower oil with rapeseed oil in some products without a label change. The FSA have advised that allergic reactions to rapeseed oil are rare.

Total45 minutes
Active 25 minutes
DifficultyEasy

Ingredients

serving amount

2 unit(s)

British Chicken Breasts

2 unit(s)

Garlic Clove

120 grams

Orzo

(Contains: Cereals containing gluten, Wheat)

20 grams

Chicken Stock Paste

40 grams

Baby Spinach

120 grams

Peas

32 grams

Pesto

(Contains: Milk)

40 grams

Grated Hard Italian Style Cheese

(Contains: Milk, Egg)

1 pinch

Chilli Flakes

Not included in your delivery

600 milliliter(s)

Water for the Sauce

Nutritional information

Energy (kJ)2432 kJ
Energy (kcal)581 kcal
Fat20.1 g
of which saturates6.9 g
Carbohydrate52.2 g
of which sugars7 g
Dietary Fibre5.9 g
Protein52.7 g
Salt3.04 g
Always refer to the product label for the most accurate ingredient and allergen information.

Utensils

Large Saucepan
Garlic Press
Lid

Cooking Instructions and Tips

Brown the Chicken
1

Heat a large saucepan on medium-high heat with a drizzle of oil.

Once hot, add the chicken breasts and cook for 2 mins on each side, until browned all over. IMPORTANT: Wash your hands and equipment after handling raw chicken and its packaging.

Once cooked, remove the chicken to a plate and set aside.

Fry the Garlic
2

While the chicken fries, peel and grate the garlic (or use a garlic press). 

Once you've removed the chicken from the saucepan, add the garlic to the pan with a drizzle of oil if needed and season with salt and pepper. Fry for 1 min. 

Add the orzo to the pan and stir until coated, 1 min.

Simmer Time
3

Pour the water for the sauce (see pantry for amount) into the saucepan. Add the chicken stock paste and season with salt and pepper.

Bring to the boil, then lower the heat to medium.

Return the chicken to the pan. Cover the pan with a lid. Simmer until the chicken is cooked, 15-20 mins, stirring halfway. IMPORTANT: The chicken is cooked when no longer pink in the middle. 

Add the Veg
4

Once the chicken and orzo are cooked, add the spinach to the pan a handful at a time until wilted and piping hot, 1-2 mins.

Next, stir in the peas

Finishing Touches
5

Once cooked, remove the pan from the heat and transfer the chicken to a plate. Use two forks to shred the chicken into small pieces.

Add the pulled chicken back to the pan. Stir in the pesto and hard Italian style cheese.

Taste the sauce and season with salt and pepper if needed. 

Serve Up
6

Share your pulled chicken and pesto orzo between your serving bowls.

Sprinkle over the chilli flakes to finish.

This week's must-try HelloFresh recipes

Teriyaki Pulled Beef Bao

Teriyaki Pulled Beef Bao

with Black Sesame Wedges and Smacked Cucumber Salad
Peri Peri & Maple Glazed Spatchcock Chicken

Peri Peri & Maple Glazed Spatchcock Chicken

with Chips, Garlic Bread, Peas and Tenderstem® Broccoli
Ultimate Beef and Chorizo Lasagne Soup

Ultimate Beef and Chorizo Lasagne Soup

with Herby Garlic Bread
Chinese BBQ Style Roast Pork Belly and Sticky Rice

Chinese BBQ Style Roast Pork Belly and Sticky Rice

with Roasted Greens, Spring Rolls and Sweet Chilli Sauce
Ultimate Creamy Truffle Mushroom & Burrata Linguine

Ultimate Creamy Truffle Mushroom & Burrata Linguine

with Flaked Almonds, Rocket Salad and Garlic Ciabatta
American Style Chicken Schnitzel Sando

American Style Chicken Schnitzel Sando

with Caramelised Onions, Burger Sauce, Apple Slaw and Fries
Cosy Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

Cosy Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

with Rocket and a Crispy Sage Crumb
Orkney Crab, Leek and Potato Gratin

Orkney Crab, Leek and Potato Gratin

with Oven-Ready Garlic Baguette and Baby Plum Tomato Salad
Chilli non Carne Rice Jumble

Chilli non Carne Rice Jumble

with Bell Pepper, Soured Cream, Avocado and Coriander
Smoky Harissa Butter Beans and Toasted Ciabatta

Smoky Harissa Butter Beans and Toasted Ciabatta

with Roasted Sweet Potato, Greek Style Cheese and Crispy Onions
Creamy Chickpea Korma

Creamy Chickpea Korma

with Basmati Rice, Peas and Coriander
Harissa Butter Bean Loaded Jacket Potato

Harissa Butter Bean Loaded Jacket Potato

with Greek Style Cheese and Radish & Baby Leaf Salad
Greek Style Lamb Moussaka

Greek Style Lamb Moussaka

with Creamy Aubergine Topping
Mexican Style Bacon and Bean Frijoles Charros

Mexican Style Bacon and Bean Frijoles Charros

with Soured Cream and Cheese
Peri Peri Spiced Chicken Thigh Traybake

Peri Peri Spiced Chicken Thigh Traybake

with Roast Potatoes and Tomato & Baby Leaf Salad
Family Favourite Pork and Apple Burger

Family Favourite Pork and Apple Burger

with Rosemary Wedges and Rocket Salad
Mozzarella and Roasted Butternut Squash Salad

Mozzarella and Roasted Butternut Squash Salad

with Rocket, Pesto Dressing and Croutons
Midweek Chipotle Beef and Pork Rigatoni

Midweek Chipotle Beef and Pork Rigatoni

with Cheddar, Spinach and Rocket
Creamy Bacon, Potato and Baby Gem Salad

Creamy Bacon, Potato and Baby Gem Salad

with Ciabatta Croutons and Italian Style Cheese