Description
One Pot Marry Me Chicken Orzo is a creamy, comforting, and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken breasts simmered with orzo pasta in a rich sauce of garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, heavy cream, and parmesan cheese. This easy one-pot meal is perfect for quick weeknight dinners or special occasions and delivers a velvety texture with a delicious balance of savory and fresh ingredients.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Proteins and Pasta
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup orzo pasta
Liquids and Dairy
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Vegetables and Flavorings
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, roughly chopped
- 2 cups fresh spinach leaves
Seasonings
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp Italian herbs (such as oregano, basil, thyme)
Instructions
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs. Sear the chicken until golden brown on both sides but not fully cooked through, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove the chicken and set aside to lock in juicy flavor.
- Sauté Aromatics and Sun-Dried Tomatoes: In the same pot, add the minced garlic and roughly chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant to form the base of the sauce.
- Cook the Orzo: Add the orzo pasta and chicken broth to the pot. Stir well, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for about 8-10 minutes until the orzo is al dente.
- Finish with Cream, Cheese, and Spinach: Once the orzo is tender, stir in the heavy cream and grated parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and thickened. Add the fresh spinach leaves, stirring until just wilted. Nestle the seared chicken back in the pot and cook for another 3-5 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and the flavors meld together.
- Serve and Enjoy: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot straight from the pot, optionally garnished with fresh parsley or basil and extra parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Pound chicken breasts to an even thickness for consistent cooking.
- Monitor the orzo closely to prevent overcooking and mushiness.
- Use a good quality chicken broth for enhanced flavor.
- Grate parmesan cheese fresh for the best melting and taste.
- Let the dish rest a couple of minutes before serving to let the sauce thicken slightly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg