One Pot Chicken and Orzo

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One Pot Chicken and Orzo

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4
Author: Food Dolls

Make dinner effortless with this One Pot Chicken and Orzo — a complete, cozy meal packed with flavor, vibrant veggies, and creamy Parmesan goodness. Best of all, it’s ready in under an hour and only uses one pan!

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated
  • 1 cup dry orzo pasta
  • 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 4 cups fresh baby spinach
  • ⅓ cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • Fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Sear the Chicken:
    In a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat, warm 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Rub the chicken with the remaining olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Sear the chicken on both sides until golden, about 3–5 minutes per side. Remove the chicken and set aside.
  2. Sauté Aromatics & Toast Orzo:
    In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add chopped onion and sauté for about 3 minutes until fragrant. Stir in the garlic and dry orzo and cook for another 2–3 minutes, stirring often, until orzo is lightly toasted.
  3. Simmer the Orzo:
    Pour in the broth and bring to a boil. Let it simmer for 3–5 minutes, allowing the orzo to partially cook.
  4. Add Creamy Goodness:
    Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes. Cook until the spinach is wilted.
  5. Return Chicken & Finish Cooking:
    Nestle the seared chicken back into the skillet with any juices.

    • Option 1: Cover the skillet and cook over medium heat for 8–10 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked.
    • Option 2 (Oven Method): Transfer the skillet to a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) and bake uncovered for 10–15 minutes, until the chicken reaches an internal temp of 165°F.
  6. Serve:
    Drizzle with fresh lemon juice and sprinkle with parsley before serving.

Equipment

  • Large oven-safe skillet (such as GreenPan non-stick)

Nutrition (Per Serving)

  • Calories: 566 kcal
  • Carbs: 38 g
  • Protein: 35 g
  • Fat: 31 g
  • Saturated Fat: 14 g
  • Cholesterol: 127 mg
  • Sodium: 797 mg
  • Potassium: 925 mg
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Vitamin A: 4033 IU
  • Vitamin C: 22 mg
  • Calcium: 194 mg
  • Iron: 3 mg

Note: Nutrition is estimated and may vary.

 

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