This creamy chicken and orzo recipe is an easy chicken dinner made in one pan with tender chicken, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and orzo pasta simmered in a rich cream sauce. Ready in about 40 minutes, it's one of my favorite one-pan dinners for busy weeknights because there are fewer dishes waiting in the sink afterward.
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I love cooking with orzo, especially now that my boys are little. Since it's such a tiny pasta, it's easy for toddlers to scoop up with a spoon or stab with a fork without everything sliding off. It's one of those small things that makes dinnertime just a little less frustrating. I don't have to make a separate dinner for the kids, and everyone leaves the table full.
One thing about my family though, we like to keep our vegetables on the side. I know there are plenty of creamy orzo recipes loaded with spinach or peas mixed right into the pan, but around here, vegetables touching the pasta is a tough sell. We usually serve this with roasted broccoli or a simple salad instead.
If your family loves everything mixed together, go for it. A handful of spinach stirred in at the end or a cup of frozen peas would be an easy addition. That's one of the things I like most about this recipe. It's simple enough to make exactly the way your family likes it.
Why You'll Love This Chicken and Orzo
- One pan means easy cleanup
- Ready in about 40 minutes
- Family friendly and great for toddlers
- Great for weeknight dinners
- Uses inexpensive pantry ingredients
What is Chicken and Orzo?
Chicken and orzo is a comforting one-pan pasta dinner made by simmering bite-sized chicken and orzo pasta together in broth until tender. This chicken orzo skillet is finished with garlic, Parmesan, heavy cream, and fresh lemon juice for a rich, creamy sauce that coats every bite.
Unlike recipes where the pasta is boiled separately, the orzo cooks directly in the broth, absorbing all the flavor from the garlic, chicken, and Parmesan while naturally creating a creamy sauce.
Ingredients You'll Need
Chicken - Boneless, skinless chicken breast or skinless chicken thighs both work well in this recipe. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces so it cooks quickly and every bite has a little chicken and orzo.
Orzo - This rice-shaped pasta cooks directly in the broth and creates a creamy texture without extra work.
Shallot - Adds a mild sweetness that melts into the sauce.
Garlic - Fresh garlic gives the dish its signature flavor.
Italian seasoning - A simple blend of dried herbs that adds another layer of savory flavor to the broth. Dried oregano works perfectly too.
Chicken Broth - The orzo absorbs the broth as it cooks, creating layers of savory flavor.
Heavy Cream - Makes the finished dish rich and creamy. Use ½ cup for a lighter version or a full cup for an extra creamy finish.
Parmesan Cheese - Freshly grated Parmesan melts the best and adds plenty of salty, nutty flavor.
Lemon Juice - Just a squeeze at the end brightens the rich sauce.
Olive Oil, Paprika, Salt & Black Pepper - for seasoning the chicken
How to Make Chicken and Orzo
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 25 minutes | Total Time: 40 minutes | Servings: 4
Season the chicken with paprika, salt, and pepper, then sear it in olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it's golden brown. Remove the chicken to a plate while you soften the shallot and garlic. Add the dry orzo and toast for 1-2 minutes.
Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring to a boil. Cover and turn the heat to low to simmer until the orzo is tender, about 15-20 minutes. Stir the chicken back into the pan. Mix in Parmesan cheese. Finish with fresh lemon juice. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper before serving.
Leanna's Kitchen Notes
- Prep the shallot and garlic before you start. I got distracted seasoning the chicken and nearly burned mine.
- Don't be shy with the salt. The orzo absorbs a lot of seasoning as it cooks.
- I like finishing with fresh lemon juice instead of adding more Parmesan because it brightens the whole dish.
- If you're feeding little kids, cut the chicken into small bite-sized pieces so every forkful has chicken and pasta together.
- My family prefers vegetables on the side, so I usually serve roasted broccoli instead of stirring spinach into the pasta.
Variations and Swaps
- Stir in vegetables such as fresh spinach, baby kale or frozen peas during the last few minutes of cooking
- Use chicken thighs instead of tenders or chicken breasts
- Add fresh herbs like fresh parsley, basil, or thyme
- Add fresh lemon zest for a brighter lemon chicken orzo recipe, or stir in sun-dried tomatoes for another layer of flavor.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The orzo will continue absorbing liquid, so add a splash of broth or milk while reheating to loosen the sauce.
PrintGet the Recipe
Creamy Garlic Chicken and Orzo
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Creamy garlic chicken and orzo is an easy one-pan dinner made with tender chicken, Parmesan cheese, garlic, and orzo simmered in a rich, creamy broth. It's a comforting weeknight meal that's ready in about 40 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 shallot, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Season the chicken with the paprika, salt, and black pepper, tossing to coat evenly.
- Heat the olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add the chicken and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and completely cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Add the diced shallot to the same pan and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
- Add the dry orzo to the pan and stir for about 1 minute to lightly toast it.
- Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Season with an additional pinch of salt, then stir to combine.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
- Return the cooked chicken to the pan and stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the fresh lemon juice.
- Taste and season with additional salt and black pepper as needed before serving.
Notes
Prep the shallot and garlic before you begin cooking since they cook quickly after the chicken comes out of the pan.
Taste the orzo before serving. It may need a little extra salt once the broth has been absorbed.
Freshly squeezed lemon juice at the end brightens the rich, creamy sauce.
If the orzo thickens too much while sitting, stir in a splash of warm chicken broth or milk before serving.
For a complete meal, serve with roasted broccoli or a simple green salad. If your family enjoys vegetables mixed into pasta, stir in a few handfuls of spinach or a cup of frozen peas during the last few minutes of cooking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: One Pan
- Cuisine: Italian
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Boneless, skinless thighs work wonderfully and stay very tender.
You can, but keep in mind the orzo keeps absorbing the liquid as it cools, so when reheating you may need to add more broth or cream to loosen it up.
Cream-based pasta dishes can separate slightly after freezing, so this recipe is best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated.
Keep simmering and add another splash of broth if needed. Different brands of orzo can vary slightly in cooking time.
Yes, although the sauce won't be quite as rich and thick. Half-and-half is a nice middle ground.
Orzo works best because it cooks quickly and creates a creamy texture as it absorbs the broth. Small pasta shapes like ditalini or acini di pepe can work in a pinch, but you may need to adjust the cooking time and liquid.
What to Serve With Chicken and Orzo
- Classic House Salad
- Roasted Broccoli & Carrots
- Garlic Bread
- Caesar Salad
I'd love to hear how this chicken and orzo turned out for you! Leave a comment below and let me know if you made any fun additions or put your own spin on the recipe. If you share it on Instagram, tag @hungrywaitress so I can see your creation and cheer you on. I always love seeing your dinners come to life in your own kitchens. Happy cooking!
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