Healthy Orzo Recipe | One-Pot Chicken Orzo
Easy, Quick, and Flavorful One Pan Dinner Recipe for Family – This One-Pan Chicken Orzo is a Rich, Comforting, and Visually Delightful Dish for Both Casual and Special Occasions!
This One Pot Chicken and Orzo is a simple, easy, and flavorful dish. It combines tender chicken breast pieces and orzo, mixed in a simple yet creamy sauce. This dish is the ideal representation of simplicity and sophistication. This chicken and orzo is a hearty, comforting, and flexible dish that you can serve at different occasions.
Why you’ll love this One-Pot Chicken and Orzo?
It’s a 30 min dinner idea: This orzo and chicken recipe is very convenient dinner idea for busy days. Everything is prepared in a single pan and served in about 30 minutes.
It’s creamy and flavorful: The orzo and chicken absorb the seasoning and flavors infuse din the savory broth; and the added half and half and parmesan enhances the overall flavor and creaminess of the dish while keeping it light and velvety.
It’s both sophisticated and homey: This chicken and orzo recipe offers elegance and comfort in one simple dish. It perfectly demonstrates how simple ingredients can come together to make a rich, elegant, and inviting dish.
What ingredients do I need for this Chicken Orzo recipe?
1.5 pound chicken breast (with no skin or bones and cut into cubes)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ cup yellow onion (chopped)
3 garlic cloves (minced)
8 ounces dry orzo
2 ½ cups chicken broth
2 sprigs fresh thyme
1/3 cup half and half (replace with milk)
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan
Spinach
Chopped fresh parsley and more Parmesan (optional Garnish)
How to make this Flavorful One-Pot Chicken Orzo recipe?
Add the chicken cubes to a small bowl, then add in the garlic powder, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and mix to combine.
In a large high sided skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium high heat to cook the chicken.
Once it’s cooked on all sides (10 to 12 minutes) remove it from the pan and place in a bowl or plate.
Add the onion to the pan and sauté for about 3 minutes. Add in the garlic and orzo and cook for 3 more minutes.
Then add the chicken broth and let it simmer, stirring from time to time without forgetting to scrape the bottom of the pan. Let it cook for 7 minutes with the pan covered until most of the liquid is gone.
Add in the cooked chicken, half and half, Parmesan, fresh thyme and spinach. Let it cook for a minute or two, just enough time for the spinach to wilt.
Top your plate with chopped parsley and Parmesan. Enjoy your Chicken Orzo!
Helpful Tips and Variations?
How can I replace the chicken breast? Other than chicken breast or chicken tenders, I’ve already tried this recipe with two different proteins; although I prefer chicken, but shrimp and turkey make a good alternative.
How can I replace the orzo? If you don’t like it, then you can simply replace it with any regular pasta shells you prefer.
Can I user regular rice instead? Of course you can either choose with or brown rice, but be careful as it needs more cooking time than orzo.
Can I add any vegetables? This Chicken Orzo recipe works wonderfully well with chopped broccoli, peas, or chopped asparagus. You can also make it with sliced mushrooms, cherry tomatoes or zucchini.
What other toppings can I use? I personally love to sprinkle lemon zest or add a few chopped nuts.
How can I store any leftovers? I prefer to store my leftovers in a glass container and place it in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can totally place in the freezer for longer storage, just use freezer friendly bags or containers.
Can I meal prep this Chicken Orzo recipe? This recipe can make a good choice for your weekly meal plan. Cook, let it cool, then place portions in separate containers and store in the fridge.
How can I serve this One-Pot recipe?
You can serve this One-pot Chicken and Orzo in a pretty pasta dish garnished with herbs and grated cheese. It’s a great looking meal with refined flavors, so you can serve it at different special gatherings. The dish is also comforting, homey, and has lots of soothing flavors, which makes it great for a hearty family dinner.
Healthy Orzo Recipe | One-Pot Chicken Orzo
Ingredients
- 1.5 pound chicken breast with no skin or bones and cut into cubes
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup yellow onion chopped
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 8 ounces dry orzo
- 2 ½ cups chicken broth
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1/3 cup half and half replace with milk
- 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- Chopped fresh parsley and more Parmesan optional Garnish
Instructions
- Add the chicken cubes to a small bowl, then add in the garlic powder, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and mix to combine.
- In a large high sided skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium high heat to cook the chicken. Once it’s cooked on all sides (10 to 12 minutes) remove it from the pan and place in a bowl or plate.
- Add the onion to the pan and sauté for about 3 minutes. Add in the garlic and orzo and cook for 3 more minutes.
- Add the chicken broth and let it simmer, stirring from time to time without forgetting to scrape the bottom of the pan. Let it cook for 7 minutes with the pan covered until most of the liquid is gone.
- Add in the cooked chicken, half and half, Parmesan, fresh thyme and spinach. Let it cook for a minute or two, just enough time for the spinach to wilt.
- Top your plate with chopped parsley and Parmesan. Enjoy!
