Description
This One Pot Chicken and Orzo recipe is a creamy and satisfying dish that’s perfect for a quick and delicious weeknight dinner. Tender chicken, flavorful orzo pasta, and a rich Parmesan cream sauce come together effortlessly in one pot, minimizing cleanup and maximizing flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 1/4 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup baby spinach (optional)
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Season the chicken with salt, pepper, paprika, and oregano.
- Cook the chicken: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5–7 minutes until browned and mostly cooked through. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Cook the aromatics: In the same pan, add the onion and cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the orzo: Add the orzo and toast for 1–2 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Add the broth: Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Return the chicken to the pan, reduce heat to low, and cover. Cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Finish the dish: Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan, and cook for another 2–3 minutes until creamy. Add spinach if using and stir until wilted. Garnish with parsley and serve warm.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half or milk for the cream.
- Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes or mushrooms for extra flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 560 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
