Name: Ginger Chili Chicken Orzo Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Ingredients: 1 lb chicken thighs (skinless, boneless, free-range); 1 teaspoon salt; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 6 scallions (spring onions), sliced finely, white and green parts separated; 1 inch piece of ginger, grated (or ginger paste); 4 garlic cloves, crushed; 1 teaspoon chili flakes; 1.5 cups orzo; 3 cups chicken stock; 1.5 tablespoons soy sauce; 1 teaspoon fish sauce; 2 tablespoons chili oil; 2 tablespoons sweet chili jam; A handful of fresh cilantro (coriander) leaves

There’s something wonderfully comforting about a warm, savory dish that arrives on your table in just one pot. This Ginger Chili Chicken Orzo Recipe hits that sweet spot with vibrant, punchy flavors and a cozy, tender texture. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll want to make it again and again.

The image shows a black pot with a red handle filled with cooked orzo pasta mixed with browned chicken pieces. The orzo is light brown and shiny with some green herbs and sliced green onions scattered on top. The chicken pieces are golden-brown with a slightly crispy look and black sesame seeds sprinkled over them. A gold spoon is stirring the food inside the pot. Next to the pot, there is a white plate with a small serving of the orzo and chicken, garnished with green herbs and curled green onion slices. A small white bowl with a reddish sauce sits beside the plate, placed on a white marble 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 Ginger Chili Chicken Orzo Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Ginger Chili Chicken Orzo Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Ginger Chili Chicken Orzo Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’m genuinely excited to share this Ginger Chili Chicken Orzo Recipe—it’s one of those meals that’s quick enough for weeknights but feels special enough to serve guests. The blend of ginger and chili delivers a vibrant warmth that wakes up your taste buds, while the orzo soaks up every bit of savory, saucy goodness.

One-Pot Wonder: Less mess, less fuss, and all the flavor in one dish—perfect for busy days.
Flavor-Packed: The balance of ginger’s zing, chili’s heat, and sweet chili jam creates layers of deliciousness.
Comfort Food with a Kick: It’s cozy enough for a family dinner, but the chili oil gives it just enough excitement.
Customizable: Easy to tweak based on what’s in your pantry or your spice tolerance.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Ginger Chili Chicken Orzo Recipe plays a crucial part in the symphony of flavors. The chicken thighs stay juicy and tender, while the orzo rounds out the dish with a soft, comforting bite. Plus, the sauces and aromatics like ginger, garlic, and scallions combine for a vibrant, fragrant base.

Flat lay of raw boneless skinless chicken thighs, a small white bowl of coarse salt, a small white bowl of golden olive oil, six fresh green scallions with white bulbs and green stalks separated, a fresh 1-inch piece of ginger root, four whole garlic cloves with papery skins intact, a small white bowl with bright red chili flakes, a small white bowl of dark soy sauce, a small white bowl of amber fish sauce, a small pile of uncooked orzo pasta, a small white bowl filled with golden chicken stock, a small white bowl of vivid red chili oil, a small white bowl holding glossy sweet chili jam, and a handful of fresh green cilantro leaves, all arranged symmetrically in perfect proportions on a simple white ceramic surface 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

Chicken thighs: I prefer skinless, boneless, and free-range for tenderness and rich flavor without the extra fat from skin.
Salt: Simple but essential—to enhance all the other flavors.
Olive oil: Helps in searing the chicken and layering flavor deep into the dish.
Scallions (spring onions): The white parts mellow into the sauce, the green parts add fresh brightness at the end.
Ginger: Fresh grated ginger is best—adds that spicy zing you want. Ginger paste works well if you're in a rush.
Garlic cloves: Crushed for max flavor penetration in the cooking process.
Chili flakes: Adds heat—adjust based on your taste.
Soy sauce: Deep umami flavor that brightens the dish with saltiness.
Fish sauce: Just a touch to add savory depth that balances the chili’s heat.
Orzo: This pasta is perfect for soaking up all the delicious sauce without overwhelming the chicken.
Chicken stock: The cooking medium that brings everything together with a rich base.
Chili oil: The finishing drizzle that gives a luscious, slightly smoky heat.
Sweet chili jam: Balances the spice with sweet, sticky goodness.
Cilantro leaves: Fresh, herby notes that brighten the final dish.

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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

I love tweaking this Ginger Chili Chicken Orzo Recipe depending on the mood or what I have on hand. Don’t be shy about making it your own—spice it up, dial the sweetness back, or switch up the herbs. Cooking should always have room for creativity.

Variation: Sometimes I swap chicken thighs for tender chicken breasts if I’m short on time, but thighs definitely give it more flavor and richness.
Heat Level: Want it milder? Reduce the chili flakes and omit the chili oil drizzle. Craving heat? Add fresh sliced chilis or more chili oil at the end.
Herb Swap: I’ve tried parsley instead of cilantro when I ran out, and it works—just a different herbaceous note.
Vegan Option: Use firm tofu or seitan, vegetable stock, and skip the fish sauce (or replace with soy sauce). It’s still delicious and hearty.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Ginger Chili Chicken Orzo Recipe

The image shows a black frying pan with cooked chopped green onions, minced garlic, and small bits of red chili around the edges, creating a colorful green and orange base. In the center, there is a mound of uncooked light golden orzo pasta forming the main layer. A wooden spatula rests on the right side of the pan, partially touching the orzo and the cooked vegetables. The background and surface beneath the pan have a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Season and Sear the Chicken

Start by tossing the chicken thighs with salt in a small bowl—this brings out their natural flavors. Heat olive oil in a large, high-sided pan on high heat. When shimmering hot, add the chicken thighs. Don’t be shy here—you want a beautiful, deep golden char, about 5 minutes per side. That color is flavor! Once seared, remove the chicken and keep it warm and covered while you cook the orzo. Trust me, this step really builds the base of your dish.

Step 2: Build the Flavor Base

Reduce heat to medium, then toss in the white parts of the scallions, freshly grated ginger, crushed garlic, and chili flakes. Stir these fragrant aromatics in the chicken’s cooking juices for about 2 minutes. This wakes up the pan and infuses the orzo to come with amazing depth.

Step 3: Cook the Orzo

Add the orzo, stirring for another minute to toast it lightly in the juices. Then pour in the chicken stock, soy sauce, and fish sauce. Stir everything together and bring it to a gentle simmer. Once simmering, lower the heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally for about 10 minutes until the orzo is al dente and the sauce thickens up beautifully.

Step 4: Finish with Chicken and Flavors

Nestle your charred chicken thighs right back into the creamy orzo, then drizzle the whole dish with chili oil and sweet chili jam. Scatter the reserved green scallion parts and fresh cilantro on top for a burst of color and freshness. Serve it straight from the pan and enjoy all those layers of flavor at once.

Top Tip

From cooking this dish multiple times, I discovered a few tricks that take this recipe from great to unforgettable. Here’s what’s helped me nail it every time:

High Heat Sear: Don’t rush the chicken sear! The deep golden crust adds so much flavor—think of it like building flavor bricks.
Don’t Overcook Orzo: Keep a close eye on the orzo in the last 2-3 minutes; it should be tender but still have a slight bite (al dente).
Stirring Matters: Stir occasionally while simmering to prevent the orzo from sticking and burning on the bottom. It keeps the dish creamy.
Balance Sweet and Heat: Adjust your chili oil and sweet chili jam drizzles at the end—you control how spicy or sweet you want it.

How to Serve Ginger Chili Chicken Orzo Recipe

Ginger Chili Chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I always finish with a generous handful of fresh cilantro leaves—they add such a lively, herbaceous pop. The sliced green scallions sprinkled on top bring a nice crunch and freshness. If you like, a squeeze of fresh lime juice brightens the whole dish beautifully.

Side Dishes

Since this Ginger Chili Chicken Orzo Recipe is packed with flavor, I like keeping sides simple. A crisp cucumber salad dressed with rice vinegar works wonderfully to cool things down. Steamed or roasted green veggies like broccoli or bok choy are great too, adding balance and extra nutrition.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party, I’ve served this dish in individual shallow bowls with a colorful drizzle of chili oil spiraled on top and garnished with edible flowers for a pop of elegance. It’s amazing how a few thoughtful touches can turn a weeknight meal into an experience.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors continue to meld overnight, so often the next day tastes even better! Just be sure to cool it quickly before refrigerating.

Freezing

This recipe freezes quite well. I separate the chicken from the orzo when freezing to maintain texture best. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently on the stove.

Reheating

To reheat, I add a splash of chicken stock or water to loosen the sauce, warming everything gently over medium-low heat while stirring to prevent sticking. This keeps the orzo creamy and the chicken moist.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs in this Ginger Chili Chicken Orzo Recipe?

Yes, you can swap chicken thighs for breast meat if you prefer leaner chicken. Chicken breast cooks faster, so reduce the searing time slightly to avoid drying out. Keep an eye on the cooking process to maintain tenderness.

How spicy is this Ginger Chili Chicken Orzo Recipe?

It has a moderate heat level thanks to the chili flakes and chili oil, but you can easily adjust the spice by reducing or increasing these ingredients. For a milder version, omit the chili oil drizzle and use half the chili flakes.

Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can cook the dish fully and reheat it later. Alternatively, prepare the chicken and sauce separately and combine just before serving to keep the chicken juicy. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.

What can I serve with Ginger Chili Chicken Orzo Recipe?

This dish pairs wonderfully with fresh green veggies like steamed broccoli or a crisp cucumber salad with a simple dressing. I also love serving it with a side of pickled vegetables for contrast and crunch.

Final Thoughts

This Ginger Chili Chicken Orzo Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen rotation because it’s reliable, flavorful, and comes together so quickly. It’s the kind of recipe you can trust to deliver something exciting when life gets busy, yet comforting enough to feel like a hug on a plate. I can’t wait for you to give it a try—I promise it’ll become one of your new favorites too!