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This Creamy Chicken and Orzo is rich, comforting, and packed with flavor! Tender chicken, spices, and creamy orzo come together in one pan for an easy dinner that takes just minutes to make.
When you need a comforting dinner that doesn’t take all night, this Creamy Chicken and Orzo delivers every time. It’s rich, flavorful, and made in one pan. It is loaded with chicken, tender orzo, and a creamy sauce that ties it all together. Such an easy and satisfying meal.
This easy recipe is a weeknight lifesaver! Orzo cooks right in the same pan as the chicken, soaking up all those delicious flavors while keeping cleanup easy. The creamy sauce is made with broth, cream, and Parmesan cheese. Simple every day ingredients, nothing fancy, but absolutely delicious.
Ingredients Needed
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- Chicken Breast – you could use chicken thighs as well
- Onion
- Garlic
- Oil
- Orzo – you can find in the pasta aisle, looks similar to grains of rice
- Chicken Broth – use low sodium to control the salt level if desired
- Heavy Cream
- Parmesan Cheese
- Paprika
- Dried Thyme
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
- Chili Powder
- Salt & Pepper
How To Make Creamy Chicken & Orzo
- Season Chicken. Toss together the diced chicken with the spices until everything is well coated.
- Brown. Add the chicken to a large skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes until it is nicely browned. Remove from the pan and cover with foil to keep it warm. It does not need to be fully cooked.
- Sauté. Add the onions to the skillet and cook for a 5-6 minutes until they are soft. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until you can start to smell it.
- Orzo. Stir in the orzo and pour in the chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat and cover. Cook for 7-8 minutes until the orzo is tender. The liquid should be absorbed.
- Cream. Add the chicken back to the pan, pour in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Mix until everything is well combined. Cook for another minute or two until the chicken is cooked through and hot.
- Serve. Remove from the heat and serve topped with parsley or Parmesan cheese if desired.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Heavy Cream. When adding cold heavy cream to something hot it can sometimes curdle, so measure out the heavy cream when you start cooking and just leave it out to warm up while cooking. This will help make sure you get a smooth and creamy sauce.
- Chicken. It is best to try to cut your chicken into similar sized pieces. This will ensure they cook evenly. The smaller they are cut, the quicker they will cook. I remove the chicken from the pan (and when covered to keep warm it will continue to cook) so it doesn’t dry out while the orzo cooks. If using chicken thighs, they are a lot more forgiving, and you could leave them in the skillet the whole time if you wanted.
- Flavor Twists. You really can mix it up however you like. You could use Cheddar cheese or Mozzarella cheese or sprinkle with feta. You can use whatever combination of spices you like on the chicken. It is super easy to use whatever you have.
- Add Vegetables. You can absolutely add vegetables to this dish as well. Stir in frozen peas with the chicken at the end. Or add bell peppers with the onions. Add broccoli florets with the orzo, lots of options for whatever you enjoy.
- Seasoning Shortcut. If you have Chicken Seasoning on hand, you can swap that for the spices called for in the recipe.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3-4 days. It does reheat very well in the microwave for a quick lunch the next day.
Freezing
Creamy chicken and orzo actually freezes really well too. I like to freeze in individual portions, so I can just take it out in the morning and let it thaw for lunches. It will last for 3-4 months in the freezer.
Creamy Chicken and Orzo
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breast, cut into bite sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cup dried orzo
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Toss chicken together with all of the spices, mix until everything is well coated.1 pound chicken breast, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add 1 Tablespoon oil. Once hot add the chicken and brown for 4-5 minutes until golden, but not cooked through. Remove from the skillet and cover to keep warm.2 Tablespoons olive oil
- Return the pan to medium heat, add the remaining oil. Stir in the onion and cook for 5-6 minutes until it is soft. Add the garlic and cook for another minute until you can start to smell it.1 small onion, 3 cloves garlic, 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- Stir in the orzo. Pour in the chicken broth and mix to combine. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 8-9 minutes until the orzo is tender.1 1/2 cup dried orzo, 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
- Add the chicken back to the pan (including any juices on the plate). Pour in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Stir until everything is combined. Cook for another minute or two, until the chicken is cooked through and everything is hot.1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Remove and serve immediately. Can top with fresh Parsley or more Parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Serving Suggestions
This is a simple hearty meal on its own. You can add vegetables to the skillet or you can serve them alongside. It is great with a Tossed Salad or Roasted Asparagus. Or you can serve with Garlic Bread or Hawaiian Rolls.
More Easy Chicken Dinners
- Best Chicken Stir Fry
- Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti
- Creamy Chicken Stroganoff
- Chicken Pesto Pasta
- Chicken Fajita Bowls
