Slow cooked courgettes with easy parmesan orzo, crispy chicken and ricotta

If you make one thing, make this!

This is the most delicious dish I've eaten for a long time. Oh it’s a little indulgent but it’s basically Winter in July, so I think we’ve earnt a little indulgence, haven’t we?? Courgettes are in season and that’s reason to celebrate, I love courgettes. I could write this entire newsletter based solely on courgettes and this is such a delicious way to enjoy them.

Like all good recipes, this one is simple. The chicken thighs (my favourite) are roasted in the oven on a bed of sliced courgettes with a little garlic and the usual suspects: olive oil, salt and pepper. So far so simple. As they cook, the courgettes will get gorgeously soft and will soak up all the roasting juices from the chicken. Now if that’s not enough to pique your interest, wait until I tell you about the orzo.

This way of cooking orzo is so incredibly good and works for all sorts of pasta too. You will need butter, you don’t have to go crazy, you can (and should) but you don’t need much if you don’t want to. And then the orzo is cooked in the butter and stock (and a few secret ingredients) to make it so flavourful and delicious. This is like a very easy risotto that is much less needy and much quicker. Once the courgettes are cooked you simply stir them through the creamy orzo, and finish with a generous amount of parmesan. Top it all with the crispy chicken and a dollop of ricotta, lemon zest and basil and oh my. Really Seriously. This is delicious. Get ready.

I’ve included anchovies in this recipe which I know will be divisive but really truly you cant taste them, they just add a depth of flavour, another note, if you will. If you hate them then of course you can leave them out. But just so you know, I’m not the kind of person that loves them, as in I don’t eat the ones that get strewn across your caesar salad, I leave them. And yet in sauces, and caesar dressings? I’m all for them. So if you’re willing to trust me, I highly recommend you add the anchovies and see how you get on. You won’t use the whole jar of them, but that means you can rustle up a quick caesar salad during the week and nothing will go to waste.

You will know that I try and keep the recipes on Dinner Tonight as quick as possible and try and stick to the 30 minute rule. But rules were made to be broken and this recipe is so worth it. Yes you have to wait a little longer for the chicken thighs to cook but “hands on” time is very quick. Promise me you will make this one. Okay?

Here’s what you need:

Serves 2