Description
This One Pot Marry Me Chicken Orzo is a creamy, flavorful one-pan meal featuring tender chicken breasts simmered with orzo pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach in a rich Parmesan cream sauce. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, it combines savory spices and fresh herbs to delight the palate with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
Sauce and Pasta
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes (drained and chopped)
- 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta (uncooked)
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Greens and Garnish
- 2 cups baby spinach
- Fresh basil (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare and Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Season the chicken breasts evenly with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Place the chicken in the hot oil and sear on both sides until golden brown, about 4–5 minutes per side. Once seared, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.
- Sauté Aromatics: Using the same skillet, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté the mixture for about 1 minute, until fragrant but not browned.
- Toast Orzo and Add Tomatoes: Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and uncooked orzo pasta. Toast the orzo for 1–2 minutes by stirring frequently, allowing it to absorb some of the flavors and develop a nutty aroma.
- Add Liquids and Seasoning: Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir in the heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning to build a creamy and flavorful base.
- Simmer Chicken with Orzo: Nestle the seared chicken breasts back into the skillet among the orzo. Cover the skillet and let everything simmer together for 10–12 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and the chicken is thoroughly cooked through.
- Add Spinach: Once the chicken and orzo are cooked, stir in the baby spinach leaves until they are wilted and evenly mixed throughout the dish.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish the dish with fresh basil leaves for a burst of herbaceous freshness. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy your creamy, comforting one pot meal.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken thighs for breasts if you prefer darker meat with more flavor.
- For extra creaminess, add additional grated Parmesan cheese or a splash of heavy cream just before serving.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to better control the dish’s salt content.
