One-Pan Creamy Chicken Orzo Recipe

Craving a quick and comforting meal? Look no further than this One-Pan Creamy Chicken Orzo! Tender, bite-sized chicken pieces mingle with orzo pasta in a luxuriously creamy sauce with pops of flavor from sun-dried tomatoes and spinach. It's a one-pot wonder that's perfect for busy weeknights, requiring minimal cleanup and delivering maximum satisfaction.

Detailed Recipe

Ingredients:

The Protein:

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces

The Carbs:

1 ½ cups orzo pasta

The Veggies:

½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed, drained)
4 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped

Creamy Base:

1 cup heavy cream
½ cup chicken broth
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cloves garlic, minced

Flavor Boosters:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

Preheat & Season: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius). In a large bowl, toss the chicken pieces with olive oil, oregano, salt, and pepper.
Sauté the Chicken: Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Sear the chicken pieces until golden brown on all sides.
Add the Orzo: Add the uncooked orzo to the skillet and stir to coat it with the pan drippings.
Broth & Seasonings: Pour in the chicken broth and stir to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a simmer.
Nestle the Veggies: Nestle the sun-dried tomatoes and spinach on top of the orzo and chicken. Don't stir them in yet.
Bake to Perfection: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
Stir in the Cream: Remove the skillet from the oven and stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Let the mixture sit for 2-3 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt and the sauce to thicken slightly.
Serve & Enjoy! Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese and black pepper if desired.

Tips:

Adjust Creaminess: If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of extra broth or water to thin it out.
Spinach Variation: You can substitute baby kale or chopped fresh arugula for the spinach.
Sun-Dried Tomato Options: Chopped fresh tomatoes can be used instead of sun-dried tomatoes, but the flavor profile will be slightly different.