Description
A quick, comforting, and creamy garlic chicken orzo recipe perfect for busy weeknights, ready in under 30 minutes with tender chicken and a luscious garlic-infused sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
- 1 cup orzo pasta (about 170g)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 5 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth (480ml)
- 3/4 cup heavy cream (180ml)
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (about 50g)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Optional: 2 cups baby spinach
- Optional: 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
Instructions
- Dice chicken into bite-sized pieces, mince garlic, and grate Parmesan. Measure orzo, broth, and cream.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken lightly with salt and pepper. Cook chicken until golden and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Lower heat to medium. Add more olive oil if needed, then sauté minced garlic for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Add dry orzo to garlic and stir to coat. Toast orzo for about 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Pour in chicken broth, heavy cream, and sprinkle Italian seasoning. Stir and bring to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is tender and most liquid absorbed. Add more broth if needed.
- Stir cooked chicken back into skillet. Remove from heat and gradually mix in grated Parmesan. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- Sprinkle chopped parsley over the top. If using baby spinach, toss in now and stir until wilted. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan if desired.
Notes
Toast the orzo to add nuttiness and prevent mushiness. Use low heat when adding Parmesan to avoid clumping. Keep extra broth on hand to adjust sauce consistency. Rest cream at room temperature before use. Fresh garlic is essential for best flavor. Leftover rotisserie chicken works well. For a silky finish, stir in a tablespoon of cold butter at the end.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approxima
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 420
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 9
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 32
Keywords: creamy garlic chicken orzo, quick dinner, one-pan meal, comfort food, easy chicken recipe, weeknight dinner