Cheesy Tomato Chicken with Orzo & Kale

Step 1

Prepare the ingredients

Step 2

Place an oven rack in the center of the oven; preheat to 450°F. Fill a medium pot 3/4 of the way up with salted water; cover and heat to boiling on high. Wash and dry the kale; separate the leaves from the stems, then roughly chop the leaves. Roughly chop the capers. Peel and roughly chop 2 cloves of garlic. Thinly slice the cheese. Roughly chop the peppers.

Step 3

Make the sauce

Step 4

In a medium pan (nonstick, if you have one), heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the chopped capers, oregano, and half the chopped garlic. Cook, stirring constantly, 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until slightly softened. Add the tomato paste, 1/2 cup of water (carefully, as the liquid may splatter), and as much of the red pepper flakes as you’d like, depending on how spicy you’d like the dish to be. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, 2 to 3 minutes, or until combined and slightly thickened. Turn off the heat. Taste, then season with salt and pepper if desired.

Step 5

Bake the chicken

Step 6

Pat the chicken dry with paper towels; season with salt and pepper on both sides. Place in a baking dish. Evenly top the seasoned chicken with the sauce and sliced cheese; season with salt and pepper. Bake 18 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the chicken is cooked through.* Remove from the oven. *An instant-read thermometer should register 165°F.

Step 7

Cook the pasta

Step 8

Once the chicken has cooked about 10 minutes, add the pasta to the pot of boiling water. Cook, uncovered, 7 to 9 minutes, or until tender. Turn off the heat. Drain thoroughly and return to the pot.

Step 9

Finish & serve your dish

Step 10

Meanwhile, rinse and wipe out the pan used to make the sauce. In the same pan, heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the remaining chopped garlic. Cook, stirring constantly, 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until slightly softened. Add the chopped kale; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 2 to 3 minutes, or until slightly wilted. Add 1/4 cup of water (carefully, as the liquid may splatter). Cook, stirring occasionally, 2 to 3 minutes, or until the kale is wilted and the water has cooked off. Turn off the heat and stir in the chopped peppers. To the pot of cooked pasta, add the cooked kale, crème fraîche, and 2 teaspoons of olive oil. Stir to combine. Taste, then season with salt and pepper if desired. Serve the finished pasta topped with the baked chicken. Enjoy!