Impress the entire family with this one pot, creamy chicken and orzo. It's wholesome, easy to make and so delicious. Perfect for a chilly night or an elevated weeknight meal.
Orzo has become a new favorite in my household. It’s a fun texture and shape. It makes a great main or side dish. The nutty flavor of Orzo makes it a perfect canvas for many great flavors. I always forget about Orzo until I step into a fun restaurant that serves it. Make a treat for you or your family tonight and serve this!
Why Make Creamy Chicken Orzo
This dish is so hearty and satisfying. You can customize the milk and a few other ingredients to fit your dietary needs without sacrificing flavor. Most everything is made in one dish, and you can serve it with your favorite veggies. I usually like to pair it with asparagus or other seasonal veggies of choice.
Recipe Ingredients.
- Chicken Breasts. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts. If they are big breasts, you will want to cut them in half to ensure even and quick cooking.
- Seasoning. Salt, pepper, onion powder, paprika, italian seasoning
- Olive Oil. To brown the chicken with. you can also use butter.
- Orzo: a form of shortcut pasta that is shaped like a large grain of rice. Grab some here.
- Milk: Unflavored nut milk, oat milk or cow milk it will all be equally delicious.
- Chicken Broth. I use low sodium broth for this. It adds a deeper flavor to the orzo.
- Butter: The butter brings this dish to a rich decadent level! Plant based butter or ghee will also work.
- Mushrooms: Any kind will do, I prefer sliced button or cremini mushrooms. You may sub out the mushrooms for peas or chopped broccoli.
- Onion. I use yellow onion for aromatic and yellow offers a mild flavor.
- Garlic. Fresh garlic cloves are the best for aromatics.
- Fresh Parsley: Do not skip this one! The parsley adds a touch of color and brings out the garlic in the dish.
- Sun Dried Tomatoes. I always use the sun dried tomatoes in oil. They add a wonderful tang to the dish you will love.
- Asparagus. This is optional but adds a great touch to the meal.
How To Make This Recipe:
Step One. In a small bowl mix together all the seasoning. Cut chicken breasts in half to ensure an even cook. Season the chicken breasts on both sides. Heat a large heavy bottomed skillet on the stove. Add oil or butter to the skillet or pan.
Step Two. Once the pan is heated, add the chicken breasts. Cook for about 7-8 minutes on each side or until internal temp is 165º. Depending on the thickness of your chicken you might need more time. Transfer the chicken to a warm plate; set aside once cooked through.
Step Three: In the same skillet as the chicken, add butter, chopped onion, sliced mushrooms and garlic and sauté for about 3 minutes until the onion is translucent and the garlic becomes aromatic. Add in the raw orzo pasta. Brown it for just 1 minute, this brings out the flavor.
Step Four: Add the milk, chicken broth and stir. Bring to a light simmer, cover with lid and let it cook for 8-10 minutes. Remove the lid and stir in the Parmesan cheese. Taste for seasoning and adjust with salt and pepper if needed. Sprinkle in fresh chopped parsley.
Step Five. Preheat oven to 400º, chop asparagus and add to a baking sheet. Spritz with oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. Roast for about 5 minutes.
Step Six. To a plate, add the creamy orzo, chicken and asparagus. Finish with more parsley, parmesan and sun dried tomatoes. Enjoy!
FAQs and Expert Tips
Yes! I highly suggest peas or small bits of chopped broccoli if you'd like to use a different veggie.
Orzo is a delicious small rice sized pasta. It's got a wonderful texture and nutty flavor.
You can find orzo in the pasta aisle at your local grocery store.
Recipe Variations
Orzo. If you can't find orzo, Ditalini Pasta would work.
Chicken. Feel free to make this dish vegetarian! You can also cook shrimp instead of chicken. Just cut the cook time down to 4 min each side.
Milk. You can sub almond milk, oat milk, skim milk or any milk to fit your dietary needs.
Mushrooms. Sub peas, or chopped broccoli or skip the mushrooms all together if needed.
Make Ahead & Storage Tips
STORING TIPS: This recipe is a great dish to make for meal prep. I suggest you keep any leftovers in a glass Tupperware in the refrigerator. It should last for about 5 days.To reheat, add in a little milk and microwave for about 1 -2 minutes.
Recipe Pairings
This recipe is hearty on it's own, but it pairs wonderful with my Air Fryer Garlic Bread or my Easy Overnight Bread.
Other Easy Weeknight Meals
If you loved this recipe let me know! Also, follow me on Instagram & Pinterest for even more fun recipes to make you feel good from the inside out. Thanks for being here!
Creamy Chicken Orzo
Equipment
- large heavy bottomed pan or skillet
Ingredients
For The Chicken
- 2 large chicken breasts about 1 pound
- 1 Tbsp olive oil or butter
- ¼ tsp pepper
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp italian seasoning
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp paprika
Creamy Orzo
- 1 Tbsp butter *see notes
- ¼ cup onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced fresh is always best
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced *see notes
- 1½ cup raw orzo
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1¼ cup milk *see notes
- ¼ cup parmesan peccorino will work as well.
- 2 Tbsp parsley + extra for garnish
- ¼ cup sun dried tomatoes, chopped
Asparagus
- 1 buch asparagus
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- ¼ tsp salt & pepper
Instructions
- In a small bowl mix together all the seasoning. Cut chicken breasts in half to ensure an even cook. Season the chicken breasts on both sides. Heat a large heavy bottomed skillet on the stove. Add oil or butter to the skillet or pan.
- Once the pan is heated, add the chicken breasts. Cook for about 7-8 minutes on each side or until internal temp is 165º. Depending on the thickness of your chicken you might need more time. Transfer the chicken to a warm plate; set aside once cooked through.
- In the same skillet as the chicken, add butter, chopped onion, sliced mushrooms and garlic and sauté for about 3 minutes until the onion is translucent and the garlic becomes aromatic. Add in the raw orzo pasta. Brown it for just 1 minute, this brings out the flavor.
- Add the milk, chicken broth and stir. Bring to a light simmer, cover with lid and let it cook for 8-10 minutes. Remove the lid and stir in the Parmesan cheese. Taste for seasoning and adjust with salt and pepper if needed. Sprinkle in fresh chopped parsley.
- Preheat oven to 400º, chop asparagus and add to a baking sheet. Spritz with oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. Roast for about 5 minutes.
- To a plate, add the creamy orzo, chicken and asparagus. Finish with more parsley, parmesan and sun dried tomatoes. Enjoy!
Craig
This was FANTASTIC 👏
Julie
loved this. I made mine vegan and did the frozen peas! Love the idea to blanch in the same water as the pasta!
Rachel
This is so delicious and hardy. Cannot wait to make it again!
Justin
My wife and I really enjoyed this. It's simple and easy to make even if you're not great I'm the kitchen.
Deb
The peas bring this dish to the next level!
Mckayla
My kids (who are extremely picky) were begging for more! Thanks for the great and easy recipe!
Kathy Greg
Hi Bailey, this was so tasty! I used whole milk and made it a little more fattening for myself 😂 I can’t wait to make it again.