Chicken Cacciatore With Orzo - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 lbs chicken, cut up
salt and pepper
1 1/2 cups orzo pasta
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1 small onion, finely chopped
8 ounces mushrooms, thickly sliced
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
2 tablespoons drained capers

Preparation

In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and cook, turning once, until golden, 12 to 14 minutes.
Transfer to a large plate and reserve the skillet.
Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the orzo until al dente, about 5 minutes. Drain and transfer to a large bowl.
Toss with the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, half the basil and salt and pepper to taste. Cover to keep warm.
Set the skillet over mediumhigh heat; add the onion and mushrooms and cook, scraping up any browned bits from the pan, until softened, about 8 minutes.
Stir in the tomatoes and their juice, the tomato sauce, capers and remaining basil; season with salt and pepper. Add the chicken to the sauce and bring to a boil.
Lower the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened, 7 to 10 minutes.
Transfer the chicken to 4 plates, top with the sauce and serve the orzo alongside.