Creamy Orzo With Chicken
Creamy Orzo With Chicken is a cozy, one-pan dinner made with tender chicken, velvety orzo pasta, and a rich parmesan cream sauce. Everything cooks together so the flavors soak in and the texture stays perfectly creamy. Ready in about 30 minutes, this easy chicken orzo recipe is ideal for busy weeknights but elegant enough to serve guests.
Ingredients
- Main Ingredients
- 1½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup dry orzo pasta
- 1 small onion finely diced
- Seasonings & Flavor Base
- 2½ cups chicken broth
- ¾ cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- Pantry Staples
- 1 –2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Red pepper flakes optional
- Fresh parsley optional garnish
Instructions
- Pat chicken dry and season lightly with salt and black pepper.
- Heat olive oil or butter in a large, deep skillet over medium heat.
- Add chicken and cook 4–5 minutes until lightly golden. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pan, add onion and cook until soft, about 3–4 minutes.
- Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add dry orzo and stir to coat in the oil.
- Pour in chicken broth and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Cook, stirring often, until orzo is tender and most liquid is absorbed (8–10 minutes).
- Lower heat and stir in cream.
- Return chicken to the pan and simmer 3–5 minutes, until chicken reaches 165°F.
- Stir in parmesan cheese until creamy.
- Taste and adjust seasoning. Let rest 2–3 minutes before serving. Garnish if desired.
Notes
- Stir frequently once orzo is added to prevent sticking.
- Add cream near the end to keep the sauce smooth.
- If the orzo thickens too much, loosen with a splash of warm broth.