Description
This creamy orzo with chicken recipe is a comforting one-pan meal combining tender chicken breasts, creamy Parmesan, and flavorful orzo pasta cooked in a savory broth. Enhanced with garlic, tomato paste, and baby spinach, it’s quick to prepare and perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1½ lb thin chicken breasts
- ½ tsp sea salt
- ½ tsp cracked pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- 1½ tbsp olive oil, divided
Main Dish
- 3-4 garlic cloves, minced
- ⅓ cup white wine (or broth as substitute)
- 3 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper (optional)
- 1½ cups orzo (uncooked)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 handfuls baby spinach
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Pound the chicken breasts to about ½ inch thickness or cut lengthwise into thinner pieces. Pat dry and season generously with sea salt, cracked pepper, garlic powder, and paprika according to preference.
- Sear the chicken: Heat a large deep skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and when shimmering, place chicken in a single layer. Sear each side for 1-2 minutes until golden brown. Remove chicken from pan and set aside.
- Sauté garlic: Reduce heat to medium, add the remaining olive oil, then add minced garlic. Stir for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Deglaze the pan: Pour in the white wine to deglaze the skillet, scraping up brown bits from the bottom for extra flavor.
- Add broth and orzo: Pour in chicken broth, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper if using, and the orzo pasta. Stir to combine thoroughly.
- Cook chicken and pasta: Bring the mixture to a light boil. Return the chicken to the skillet, cover, and cook for 10-15 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the orzo is al dente with most liquid absorbed. Stir every few minutes and adjust heat to prevent boiling over or sticking.
- Add cream, tomato paste, and cheese: Lower heat to low. Stir in heavy cream, tomato paste, and grated Parmesan cheese until creamy and well blended. You may remove chicken temporarily to stir if desired.
- Incorporate spinach: Add baby spinach and stir gently until wilted and evenly distributed throughout the dish.
- Serve: Remove from heat and serve warm for a comforting creamy orzo and chicken meal.
Notes
- This recipe is a simple, all-in-one skillet meal with minimal prep and no chopping of vegetables besides garlic, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
- Use low sodium broth to control salt levels and adjust seasoning at the end if needed.
- White wine can be substituted with additional chicken broth if preferred.
- To ensure chicken cooks evenly, pound to uniform thickness or halve lengthwise.
- Stir gently after adding cream and cheese to prevent curdling and achieve a smooth sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 487 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 422 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.01 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 37 g
- Cholesterol: 125 mg
