This Chicken and Orzo Skillet comes together in about 30 minutes and it’s all made in one pan. Full of feel good flavors you will love.

I had some orzo laying around and naturally had to use it up. Orzo it’s such a fun pasta. It’s texture in things is similar to a grain but it’s a pasta. Easy to cook and adds some elegance to any dish since it’s not as commonly cooked with.

Why Make This Chicken And Orzo Skillet

This chicken and orzo skillet can be ready in 30-40 minutes. That’s a quick dinner to feed the whole family! It only uses one pan or skillet so less mess to cleanup afterwards. There are loads of flavor in each bite. Also consider my Stuffed Sweet Potatoes for a great easy meal.

Chicken Orzo is easy to clean up, since it’s all made in one skillet. Rest assured this meal will be a big family favorite. It’s comforting and filling. The sun dried tomatoes give a great earthy flavor and the balsamic glaze drizzle just finishes it off perfectly.

Ingredients

Chicken Breast. I prefer boneless, skinless chicken breast for this recipe.

Orzo Pasta. You can find this in the dry pasta section at the grocery store.

Chicken Broth. A high quality one will always work best. This is what will be cooking the orzo pasta in the skillet.

Sun Dried Tomatoes. Be sure to get the kind that is in oil in a jar. This is usually in the tomato sauce section. They are much more flavorful than dry sun dried tomatoes.

Balsamic glaze or Balsamic vinegar. I prefer the glaze. You can make your own or purchase pre made balsamic glaze at any grocery store in the salad dressing aisle or where the vinegar is sold. This brightens the flavors in the dish and takes it to an elevated level.

Heavy Cream. This gives the orzo an ultimate comforting depth of texture and flavor. It’s just a splash and it goes a long way in this dish.

All other ingredients and measurements can be found in the recipe card towards the bottom of this post. 

How To Make This Recipe

Step One.  Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Step Two. Heat 1 tsp olive oil in a large oven-safe, cast iron skillet set over medium-high heat. Cut the chicken breasts in half. Place them in a large bowl, add the seasonings and 1 tsp of oil. Massage the chicken well with hands or with tongs to ensure they are evenly coated in seasoning.

Step Three. When the oil is shimmering, add the chicken. Sear on both sides until golden, about 3-5 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the skillet, place on a plate to the side (Photo 1).

Step Four. Wipe any burnt pieces off the skillet if needed. To the same skillet, add the butter and chopped onion, cook until fragrant (about 3 minutes). Next, add the minced garlic and raw orzo, toasting until lightly golden, about 2-3 minutes (Photo 3) . Now, add the wine and de-glaze the pan. Add 1 1/2 cups broth.

Step Five. Bring everything to a boil, cook for 3-5 minutes, then add the cream, parmesan, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes in oil, stirring until the spinach has softened (Photo 4)

Step Six. Add the chicken back into the skillet, wiggle it into the orzo mix well. Transfer to the oven and cook, uncovered for 15-20 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through. Add any additional Parmesan and balsamic glaze if using. Serve and enjoy hot!

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can freeze these for up to 2 months.   

Recipe Variations & Substitutions

Chicken. Chicken thighs will work great in place of breasts.

Orzo. If you cant find orzo, any small pasta shape will work. You may need just a little extra broth or water if using a different shape so keep an eye on it in the oven.

White Wine. The wine adds such a great flavor to the orzo, but if you don’t have any on hand, use extra broth or water.

Heavy Cream. You can use any milk of choice, heavy cream adds a lucious rich flavor however any milk will give it a creamy touch.

Recipe FAQ’s

Chicken Orzo Skillet Tips

Taste as you go! You may want a little more salt, pepper or parmesan so try to taste the dish as you work.

Make it healthier. If you want to cut some calories, skip the Parmesan and use skim milk in place of the heavy cream.

Keep an eye on it! Don’t overcook your chicken. Use a digital meat thermometer to check your chicken while it’s cooking. You want it to be at 165º or higher.

Other Chicken Recipes To Try

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