Creamy Chicken Orzo Dish (Printable)

Tender chicken and orzo blend with sun-dried tomatoes in a rich, creamy parmesan sauce for a cozy meal.

# Ingredient List:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 teaspoon salt
03 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
04 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
05 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Orzo & Aromatics

06 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
07 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
08 - 1 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and thinly sliced
09 - 1.5 cups orzo pasta

→ Sauce

10 - 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
11 - 1 cup heavy cream
12 - 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
13 - 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
14 - 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
15 - 2 cups baby spinach leaves

→ Garnish

16 - Fresh basil, chopped
17 - Extra parmesan cheese, for serving

# How to Prepare:

01 - Pat chicken breasts dry and season evenly with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning on both sides.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear chicken breasts until golden brown, approximately 4-5 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
03 - In the same pan, add chopped onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and sliced sun-dried tomatoes; cook for an additional minute.
04 - Add orzo to the pan and toast lightly for 1 minute, stirring frequently.
05 - Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to deglaze the pan and incorporate any browned bits.
06 - Nestle seared chicken breasts into the orzo mixture. Reduce heat to medium, cover, and simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is tender and chicken is fully cooked.
07 - Remove chicken to a plate. Stir parmesan cheese, crushed red pepper flakes, thyme, and baby spinach into the sauce until spinach is wilted and consistency is creamy.
08 - Slice chicken and either return to the pan or serve atop the orzo. Garnish with chopped fresh basil and additional parmesan cheese as desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It comes together in one pan without sacrificing that restaurant-quality creaminess that makes you feel like you're treating yourself.
  • The sun-dried tomatoes add just enough tang to keep the richness from feeling heavy, and your guests will wonder what your secret ingredient is.
  • You can have it on the table in under an hour, leaving you time to breathe instead of being covered in flour when people arrive.
02 -
  • Don't let the cream boil hard or it can separate and look broken—keep the heat at medium and you'll have a silky sauce every time.
  • Taste before you serve and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper, because this is one of those dishes where you get one chance to get it right.
03 -
  • A tablespoon of butter stirred in at the very end, after the spinach wilts, takes the creaminess from luxurious to absolutely indulgent.
  • If your sauce looks too thick, loosen it with a splash of chicken broth or pasta water; if it looks too thin, let it simmer uncovered for a couple of minutes to reduce and thicken naturally.
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