Description
A cozy, creamy, and flavorful one-pan dish featuring tender chicken, creamy ricotta, and orzo pasta, perfect for weeknight dinners in under 40 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup orzo (200g)
- ¾ cup ricotta cheese (170g)
- 2 cups chicken broth (480ml)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups spinach (60g), chopped
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese (25g), grated
Instructions
- Prep the chicken: Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and season generously with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Sear the chicken: Add chicken pieces to the hot skillet and cook until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Work in batches if needed. Transfer cooked chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics: Reduce heat to medium, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil, and toss in diced onion and minced garlic. Stir frequently until softened and fragrant.
- Add the orzo: Stir orzo into the skillet with the aromatics, letting it toast for about a minute.
- Add liquids: Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover skillet, and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is tender and has absorbed most of the broth.
- Combine and finish: Stir ricotta cheese into the skillet until creamy, then add chicken back in along with chopped spinach. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until spinach wilts and everything is heated through.
- Serve and garnish: Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese and fresh thyme over the top before serving. Enjoy warm!
Notes
[“Don’t skip the searing step to lock in the chicken’s juices and flavor.”, ‘Toast the orzo for a nutty flavor.’, ‘If ricotta feels too thick, stir in a splash of milk to loosen it up.’, ‘Season at every stage to build layers of flavor.’, ‘If the orzo is too dry, add a splash more broth or water.’]
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Protein: 25
Keywords: Creamy Ricotta Chicken, One-Pan Meal, Easy Dinner, Weeknight Recipe, Orzo Skillet, Chicken Recipe, Comfort Food, Italian Cuisine