There’s something so comforting about a creamy, cheesy dish that comes together in one pan — and that’s exactly why the Creamy Chicken and Orzo Skillet Recipe has become a staple in my kitchen. The tender chicken, rich sauce, and tender orzo all mingle perfectly to create a cozy meal you’ll want again and again.

The image shows a pan with one golden brown chicken piece sitting on top of a thick, creamy orange sauce mixed with small rice or pasta pieces. The sauce looks smooth and rich, covering the bottom of the pan. Green chopped herbs are sprinkled all over the chicken and sauce, adding a fresh touch. Two black and gold cooking spoons rest inside the pan behind the chicken. The pan is white with a shiny gold handle, placed on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Chicken and Orzo Skillet Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Creamy Chicken and Orzo Skillet Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Creamy Chicken and Orzo Skillet Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Creamy Chicken and Orzo Skillet Recipe is the ultimate weeknight hero — minimal prep, one skillet cleanup, and a luscious finish that tastes like a chef made it just for you. Every time I make it, my family asks for seconds, and it’s so versatile you can tweak it to fit your mood.

One-Pan Wonder: No need to juggle pots — everything cooks right in one skillet for an easy, minimal-mess dinner.
Speedy yet Satisfying: Ready in about 30 minutes, it fits into busy schedules without skimping on flavor and creaminess.
Layered Flavors: Garlic, white wine, tomato paste, parmesan, and Italian seasoning combine for a complex, comforting taste.
Customizable: You can add spinach or swap in broth for wine — making it flexible for your pantry and preferences.

A white plate on a white marbled surface holds a creamy orange sauce mixed with small pieces of green spinach and short, ridged pasta. On top, there are six thick, golden-brown grilled slices of chicken arranged in a row from top left to bottom right. The chicken is sprinkled with white grated cheese and small, fresh green parsley leaves. The sauce under the chicken has a smooth texture with some visible swirls and small chunks. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe is all about simplicity meeting flavor. The ingredients are straightforward, yet each one plays a crucial role in building that creamy, savory goodness. When shopping, look for fresh chicken breasts and good-quality chicken broth—those little details really help the dish shine.

Flat lay of thin raw chicken breasts seasoned with cracked black pepper, sea salt, garlic powder, and paprika, a few whole garlic cloves, a small white ceramic bowl of golden olive oil, a small white ceramic bowl of clear chicken broth, a small white ceramic bowl of white wine, a small white ceramic bowl of heavy cream, a small white ceramic bowl with bright red tomato paste, a small white ceramic bowl filled with grated parmesan cheese, uncooked orzo pasta, and two handfuls of fresh vibrant baby spinach leaves, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Thin Chicken Breasts: Pounding or slicing thin lets them cook quickly and evenly, which keeps them juicy and tender.
Spices (Sea Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder, Paprika): These simple seasonings add depth without overpowering.
Olive Oil: Perfect for searing the chicken and softening the garlic—adds a subtle fruity richness.
Garlic Cloves: Fresh garlic infuses warmth and aroma, elevating the whole skillet.
White Wine: Adds acidity and brightness to balance the creaminess (broth works too if you prefer).
Low Sodium Chicken Broth: The cooking liquid that flavors and tenderizes the orzo and chicken.
Italian Seasoning: A handy blend that brings in herbs like oregano and basil for that classic Italian touch.
Crushed Red Pepper (Optional): For those who like a gentle kick, it adds warmth without overwhelming.
Orzo: This rice-shaped pasta cooks quickly and soaks up all the flavors beautifully.
Heavy Cream: The star for that luxuriously creamy sauce everyone loves.
Parmesan Cheese: Adds salty, nutty complexity and helps thicken the sauce naturally.
Tomato Paste: Brings a rich umami note and just a touch of tang to deepen the sauce.
Baby Spinach: A fresh pop of color and mild earthiness that wilts down perfectly into the creamy mix.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the reasons I keep coming back to this Creamy Chicken and Orzo Skillet Recipe is how easy it is to tailor. Want it a little lighter? Leave out the cream and toss in extra veggies. Looking for a zing? Add a splash of lemon juice at the end. Make it yours!

Spinach Swap: I’ve sometimes swapped baby kale or arugula for spinach — it adds a bit more bite and holds up nicely in the creamy sauce.
Dairy-Free: Use coconut cream and nutritional yeast instead of heavy cream and parmesan for a vegan twist that’s still creamy and satisfying.
Spice It Up: If you like heat, I add extra crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of smoked paprika for a smoky warmth.
Protein Options: Turkey breast slices or even shrimp work wonderfully if you want to mix up the protein.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Chicken and Orzo Skillet Recipe

Step 1: Prep & Season the Chicken

I usually start by pounding the chicken breasts to about half an inch thickness so they cook evenly. If you don’t have a meat mallet, just slice them in half lengthwise and pat dry with paper towels. Then sprinkle generously with salt, cracked pepper, garlic powder, and paprika—don’t be shy here; the seasoning really builds the flavor foundation.

Step 2: Sear Chicken to Golden Perfection

Heat your skillet on medium-high until it’s really hot, then add a tablespoon of olive oil. When the oil glistens, arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer. The trick is to sear quickly—about 1-2 minutes per side—just until golden brown and crispy outside, but not cooked all the way through. Then remove and set aside; we’ll finish cooking the chicken with the orzo later.

Step 3: Build the Flavor Base

Lower the heat to medium and drizzle a bit more olive oil into the pan. Toss in the minced garlic and stir for about a minute until fragrant. Pour in the white wine, scraping the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to lift any caramelized bits — those little browned bits pack so much flavor! Once the wine has reduced slightly, add in the chicken broth, Italian seasoning, and orzo. Give everything a good stir to combine.

Step 4: Cook Orzo & Finish Chicken

Bring the skillet to a gentle boil, then nestle the chicken back in on top of the orzo. Cover the skillet and let it cook for 10-15 minutes, until the chicken reaches 165°F internally and the orzo is tender but still has a bit of bite. I like to stir every few minutes here to keep the orzo from sticking or boiling too fiercely — if it starts to bubble aggressively, lower the heat.

Step 5: Create That Creamy Sauce

Once the chicken and orzo are perfectly cooked, turn the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream, tomato paste, and parmesan cheese. You can remove the chicken if you want, but I typically just push it aside and give everything a gentle stir. Then fold in the baby spinach and allow it to wilt — it only takes a minute. That’s it, your creamy, dreamy skillet is ready to enjoy.

Top Tip

Through making this Creamy Chicken and Orzo Skillet Recipe several times, I've learned a few tips that really make the difference between just good and truly crave-worthy.

Don’t Skip the Sear: Taking the time to brown the chicken adds a crispy texture and a deep, nutty flavor that you just can’t get by boiling it straight through.
Watch the Orzo: It cooks fast and can stick or get mushy quickly, so keep an eye on it and stir occasionally to get that perfect al dente bite.
Use Fresh Garlic: Garlic powder can mellow in the sauce, but a squeeze of fresh garlic at the beginning makes the whole skillet aromatic and inviting.
Don't Rush the Cream Addition: Lower the heat before stirring in the heavy cream and cheese to avoid curdling and to help the sauce thicken smoothly around the orzo.

How to Serve Creamy Chicken and Orzo Skillet Recipe

creamy chicken and orzo - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle a little extra grated parmesan on top and add a few fresh basil leaves or chopped parsley for that fresh pop of color and brightness. A drizzle of good olive oil or a squeeze of lemon juice right before serving can also brighten the rich creaminess beautifully.

Side Dishes

Since this skillet is quite hearty on its own, I like pairing it with a simple green salad dressed in a light vinaigrette or some steamed broccoli to add a crisp, fresh note to the meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party, I like serving this creamy chicken and orzo right from the skillet at the table with a sprinkle of toasted pine nuts for crunch and a few edible flowers for a special touch — it always sparks conversation and gets compliments.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where it keeps well for up to 3 days. Because the sauce thickens in the fridge, I usually add a splash of broth or water when reheating to loosen it up back to that perfect creamy texture.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this dish a couple of times, but I recommend freezing before adding the cream and cheese for best texture after thawing. Reheat gently and stir in the cream and parmesan fresh after warming up to keep it silky.

Reheating

When reheating, I do it slowly on the stovetop over low heat, stirring often. Adding a bit of broth or cream helps revive the sauce’s creaminess without making it too thick or gummy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different pasta instead of orzo?

Orzo is ideal for this skillet because it absorbs the sauce and cooks quickly, but you can substitute other small pasta shapes like acini di pepe or even couscous. Just adjust the cooking time since different pastas cook at different rates.

What if I don’t have white wine?

No worries if you don’t have white wine; simply swap it out for extra chicken broth. The wine adds brightness and acidity, but extra broth will keep the dish flavorful and still tenderize the orzo nicely.

Can I make this dairy-free?

Yes! Use coconut cream or cashew cream in place of the heavy cream and nutritional yeast or a dairy-free parmesan substitute to keep that savory, cheesy flavor. This works great for vegan or lactose-intolerant diets.

How do I know when the chicken is cooked properly?

The best way to be sure is to use a meat thermometer and check that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F. If you don’t have a thermometer, cut into the thickest part of a piece— the juices should run clear, and the meat should be white and no longer pink inside.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Chicken and Orzo Skillet Recipe is a true gem in my recipe collection—one that never fails to impress and comfort simultaneously. Whether you’re cooking for a hungry family or just treating yourself, it offers that perfect balance of ease and elegance. I hope you’ll enjoy making it as much as I do, and that it becomes a go-to weeknight favorite in your home, just like it is in mine.