Description
This Creamy Orzo with Chicken is a comforting one-pan meal featuring tender, seasoned chicken breasts in a rich, creamy sauce with orzo pasta and spinach. Perfect for a quick and satisfying dinner, it balances savory flavors with a velvety texture, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1½ lb thin chicken breasts
- ½ tsp sea salt
- ½ tsp cracked pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- 1½ tbsp olive oil
Orzo and Sauce
- 3-4 garlic cloves (minced)
- ⅓ cup white wine (or broth as substitute)
- 3 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper (optional)
- 1½ cups orzo (uncooked)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2⁄3 cup parmesan cheese (grated)
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 handfuls baby spinach
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Pound chicken breasts to about ½ inch thickness or slice lengthwise to thin halves. Pat dry with paper towels and season generously with sea salt, cracked pepper, garlic powder, and paprika to your taste.
- Sear Chicken: Heat a large deep skillet over medium-high until very hot. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and when shimmering, place chicken in an even layer. Sear each side for 1-2 minutes until golden and crispy. Remove and set aside briefly.
- Sauté Garlic: Lower heat to medium, add a light drizzle of olive oil, and sauté minced garlic cloves for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Deglaze Pan: Pour white wine into skillet to deglaze, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom for extra flavor.
- Add Broth and Orzo: Stir in chicken broth, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper if using, and uncooked orzo. Bring to a gentle boil.
- Simmer with Chicken: Return chicken to skillet, cover and cook for 10-15 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature, orzo is al dente, and most liquid has absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and reduce heat if boiling too vigorously.
- Add Creamy Ingredients: Reduce heat to low. Stir in heavy cream, tomato paste, and grated parmesan until sauce is creamy and well combined. You may remove chicken momentarily for easier stirring if desired.
- Wilt Spinach and Serve: Add baby spinach and stir gently until wilted. Remove from heat and serve immediately.
Notes
- This is a simple, one-pan meal perfect for busy weeknights with minimal prep and no veggie chopping required.
- You can substitute white wine with additional chicken broth if preferred or for a non-alcoholic version.
- Pounding chicken breasts ensures even cooking and tenderness.
- Adjust seasoning to personal taste, especially the amount of paprika and garlic powder.
- Stir regularly during simmering to prevent orzo from sticking or burning.
- For a lighter version, consider using half-and-half or milk instead of heavy cream, though it will be less rich.
- Make sure chicken is fully cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F for food safety.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 487 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 422 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.01 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 37 g
- Cholesterol: 125 mg
