Description
This creamy one-pot chicken orzo is a flavorful and comforting dish, packed with tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and a luscious parmesan-infused sauce. Quick to make and easy to clean up, it’s the perfect meal for busy weeknights!
Ingredients
For the chicken, you’ll need boneless, skinless chicken breasts or tenders cut into 1-inch pieces, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and olive oil.
For the orzo and vegetables, gather yellow onion, fresh asparagus cut into 1-inch pieces, minced garlic, dry orzo, low/no salt chicken broth, fresh thyme (or dried thyme), half and half (or milk), freshly grated parmesan, fresh spinach, chopped fresh parsley, and extra parmesan for garnish.
Instructions
- Season & Sear the Chicken
- In a bowl, toss chicken pieces with garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat.
- Add chicken and cook for 10-12 minutes until browned on all sides.
- Remove from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté the Veggies
- In the same pan, add the remaining olive oil.
- Add asparagus and sauté for 2 minutes, then remove and set aside with the chicken.
- Add onion and cook until softened (about 3 minutes).
- Stir in orzo and garlic, cooking for another 3 minutes until orzo is slightly toasted.
- Simmer & Soften
- Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally.
- Cover and cook for 7 minutes until most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Bring It All Together
- Stir in cooked chicken, asparagus, half and half, parmesan, spinach, and thyme.
- Cook for 1-2 more minutes until spinach is wilted and everything is heated through.
- Serve & Savor
- Garnish with chopped parsley and extra grated parmesan.
- Serve immediately for the best creamy texture!
Notes
- For a creamier texture, use heavy cream instead of half and half.
- Adjust veggies—zucchini, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, or mushrooms work great too!
- Reheating tip: Add extra broth when reheating to keep it from drying out.
- Skip the chicken browning step by using pre-cooked or shredded chicken to save time.
Enjoy your cozy, one-pot chicken orzo masterpiece!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: One-Pan Cooking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-Inspired