Description
Experience the delightful combination of tender chicken and creamy orzo pasta in this one-pot dish. Perfect for impressing guests or enjoying a cozy night in, it’s a meal that delivers big on flavor with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, sliced into cutlets or cubed
- Orzo pasta
- Yellow onion, finely diced
- Garlic, minced
- Low-sodium chicken broth
- Cream cheese, full-fat
- Heavy cream
- Fresh thyme
- Fresh oregano
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Sun-dried tomatoes, oil-packed, drained and thinly sliced
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
Instructions
- Prep the Chicken: Slice the boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs) into thin cutlets or cube them, and season generously with salt, black pepper, and a little bit of garlic powder.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large, deep oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken in a single layer and sear for about 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and mostly cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.
- Sauté the Aromatics: In the same pot, add a bit more olive oil if needed, then toss in the diced onion. Cook for about 3-5 minutes until softened and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Build the Base: Pour in the chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pot to release any flavorful bits. Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes and fresh thyme and oregano, and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Cook the Orzo: Add the dry orzo pasta to the pot, stirring to ensure it's submerged. Cook uncovered for about 10-12 minutes, stirring frequently, until most of the liquid has been absorbed and the orzo is al dente.
- Make it Creamy: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the cream cheese until melted and smooth. Pour in the heavy cream and stir until combined.
- Combine and Finish: Add the seared chicken back into the pot, gently stirring to incorporate. Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, taste, and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. Stir in a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and chopped parsley just before serving.
- Serve Warm: Dish it out immediately and enjoy!
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg
Keywords: To prevent overcooking the orzo, aim for an al dente texture. Fresh herbs elevate the flavor, and adjust the consistency with broth if needed. Always taste and adjust seasoning before serving.