Description
One-Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Orzo is a creamy and cozy dish perfect for weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, diced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
- ½ cup milk or half-and-half
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp butter (optional, for richness)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
- Sun-Dried Tomato & Spinach: Add ½ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes and two large handfuls of fresh spinach when adding milk and cheese.
- Lemon Herb Brightness: Add zest of 1 lemon and 1 tbsp chopped fresh herbs (thyme or oregano) with garlic. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
- Mushroom Lover’s Dream: Sauté 8 oz sliced cremini mushrooms with onions.
- Seafood Swap: Replace chicken with peeled raw shrimp or scallops; add in last 5 minutes of cooking.
Instructions
- Brown the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Pat chicken dry, season with salt and pepper, and cook 5–7 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove to a plate and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same pot, add diced onion and sauté 2–3 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
- Toast the Orzo: Stir in dry orzo and toast 1–2 minutes until lightly golden.
- Simmer the Orzo: Pour in chicken broth and scrape the bottom of the pan to lift browned bits. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat, and cook uncovered 8–10 minutes until orzo is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
- Add Cream & Cheese: Reduce heat to low. Stir in milk or half-and-half, Parmesan cheese, optional butter, and cooked chicken. Simmer 2–3 minutes until sauce is creamy and cohesive. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
- Garnish & Serve: Remove from heat and sprinkle with fresh parsley if desired. Serve in shallow bowls for the best presentation. Optional: pair with a simple side salad or crusty bread.
Notes
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: One Pot Garlic Parmesan, Chicken Orzo, Creamy Orzo