A one pan dish made with chicken, orzo pasta and spinach smothered in a creamy parmesan sauce. This Creamy Chicken Orzo is tasty comfort food that can be ready in just 30 minutes.
Just add a green salad and some crusty french bread and you have a meal!
Why make this recipe
Creamy orzo pasta with chicken is a delicious dish with a creamy sauce and fresh spinach. The creamy sauce and orzo pasta is reminiscent of risotto, but without all the work.
This is a one pan dish that can be whipped together in just 30 minutes but will have you thinking you are eating a gourmet meal! A one pan dish means cooking and cleanup is a breeze!
Rich, filling and so satisfying, this tasty recipe is one you'll keep coming back to again and again.
Key ingredients
- Chicken - boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Spinach - fresh baby spinach
- Orzo - rice shaped pasta
- Chicken broth - homemade or store bought
- White wine - use a dry wine like a chardonnay or pinot grigio
- Parmesan cheese
- Fresh herbs - Basil, thyme and parsley
Step by step directions
- Cut each chicken breast in half lengthwise or butterflied so you have 4 equal sized breasts
- Sprinkle both sides of each breast with salt
- Lightly dredge each breast in flour, shaking off any excess
- Place floured chicken breasts in a preheated pan over medium heat with 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- Cook each side 3-5 minutes, until golden brown
- Remove chicken from pan. It's okay if the chicken isn't cooked through, they will finish cooking when you return them to the pan.
- Using the same pan, add an additional tablespoon of olive oil, if needed. Add chopped onions and cook for 2-3 minutes over medium heat.
- Stir in garlic and then stir in orzo pasta. Stir well for 1 minute until the pasta is well coated with the oil.
- Add white wine and stir pan to deglaze pan and remove all the brown bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Add chicken broth and cook over medium low heat until orzo is cooked al dente
- Add spinach
- Stir in chopped thyme and parsley and add heavy cream and parmesan cheese
- Add chicken breast back into the pan and continue cooking over low heat for 3-4 minutes
- Remove from heat and add fresh basil
Recipe tips
- Taste the orzo to determine when it's done. If needed, cook a bit longer.
- If your liquid disappears before your orzo is done cooking, add ½ cup additional broth or water.
- Be certain to stir occasionally while orzo is cooking
- Double check chicken to make certain it is cooked through
- Garnish with additional fresh herbs and a sprinkling of parmesan
Variations
- Eliminate white wine and use all chicken broth
- Use dried herbs instead of fresh. Reduce dried herbs by half the amount called for fresh herbs.
- Add additional ½ cup of cream to make an even creamier dish.
Recipe Faqs
How do I reheat leftovers?
Any leftovers should be refrigerated in a covered container. To reheat, place in a microwave container and reheat for one minute.
Serving suggestions
This can be a meal all in itself, but it's also delicious with these side dishes:
- Breadsticks
- Cheesy Pesto Garlic Bread
- Green salad with a lemon vinaigrette
- Tomato Salad
More chicken dishes
- Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner
- Baked Chicken and Rice
- Chicken Lettuce Wraps
- Chicken, Broccoli and Rice
- Crispy Chicken Tenders
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop
Be sure to check out all my main dish recipes!
Creamy Chicken Orzo
Chicken breasts cooked with a creamy orzo.
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts (cut in half lengthwise )
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup flour
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ¼ cup onion (finely diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 cup white wine
- 2 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 cups fresh spinach (cut into ½ inch strips)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped)
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (leaves removed from stem)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup parmesan cheese (shredded)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil (chopped)
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon parmesan cheese (optional)
- 1 teaspoon fresh herbs (optional)
Instructions
- Sprinkle both sides of each breast with salt2 chicken breasts, ⅛ teaspoon salt
- Lightly dredge each breast in flour, shaking off any excess¼ cup flour
- Place floured chicken breasts in a preheated pan over medium heat with 2 tablespoons of olive oil2 tablespoons olive oil
- Cook each side 4-6 minutes, until golden brown
- Remove chicken from pan. It's okay if the chicken isn't cooked through, they will finish cooking when you return them to the pan.
- Using the same pan, add an additional tablespoon of olive oil, if needed. Add chopped onions and cook for 2-3 minutes over medium heat.¼ cup onion
- Stir in garlic and then stir in orzo pasta. Stir well for 1 minute until the pasta is well coated with the oil.2 cloves garlic, 1 cup orzo pasta
- Add white wine and stir pan to deglaze pan and remove all the brown bits from the bottom of the pan1 cup white wine
- Add chicken broth and cook over medium low heat until orzo is cooked al dente2 ½ cups chicken broth
- Add spinach2 cups fresh spinach
- Stir in chopped thyme and parsley and salt and add heavy cream and parmesan cheese1 tablespoon fresh parsley, 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, ½ cup parmesan cheese, 1 cup heavy cream, ½ teaspoon salt
- Add chicken breast back into the pan and continue cooking over low heat for 3-4 minutes or until chicken is cooked through
- Remove from heat and add fresh basil1 tablespoon fresh basil
- Before serving sprinkle with additional fresh herbs and parmesan cheese1 teaspoon fresh herbs, 1 tablespoon parmesan cheese
Notes
- Taste the orzo to determine when it's done. If needed, cook a bit longer.
- If your liquid disappears before your orzo is done cooking, add ½ cup additional broth or water.
- Be certain to stir occasionally while orzo is cooking
- Double check chicken to make certain it is cooked through
- Garnish with additional fresh herbs and a sprinkling of parmesan
- Eliminate white wine and use all chicken broth
- Use dried herbs instead of fresh. Reduce dried herbs by half the amount called for fresh herbs.
- Add additional ½ cup of cream to make an even creamier dish.
Nutrition
Serving: 1breastCalories: 685kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 37gFat: 37gSaturated Fat: 18gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 163mgSodium: 1366mgPotassium: 842mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 2562IUVitamin C: 20mgCalcium: 255mgIron: 3mg
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Betsy G says
Just made this - flavor is great, 5/5 stars. It was so liquidy though, followed directions as written, used peas instead of spinach. Added about 1/4 cup flour & water to try to thicken up. Ended up slightly too much liquid. Used Trader Joe’s orzo. Felt there was easily 1 cup too much liquid - 4/5 stars for that. Will try again with less liquid! Even upped stove temp to get some liquid out.
Kathy says
Hi Betsy,
Thanks for your comment. I'm wondering why yours turned out so liquidy. The orzo should have absorbed the broth while it was cooking, leaving just a bit left. I do like your idea of adding peas instead of spinach. It's a nice way to change it up!
Kathy 🙂
Aasimar says
I have made this a few times now and loved it. The first time I follow the recipe skipping breading the chicken the 2nd time I used dark meet. I have also made it with beef and loved it that way too. Its also good with rotisserie chicken meet.
Kathy says
Thanks for your tips and suggestions!
Dru says
I love dill in orzo. What are your thoughts for adding dill to this recipe?
Kathy says
Hi Dru,
I think you could add dill, but I think I'd omit the basil.
Enjoy,
Kathy 🙂
Debora says
This is one of the best recipes I have ever made. Making it for the 3rd time tomorrow. I tenderize my chicken into smaller pieces & they cooked perfectly. The only problem I had the 1st time was that the orzo wasn't cooking but I just added more stock until it was done. Easy & so delicious!
Kathy says
Hi Debora,
Thanks so much!!! I really appreciate your comment and your tips! Glad you enjoyed 🙂
Kathy
Diana says
This meal had a great flavor. However, the chicken was not cooked all the way through and I had to put it back on the stove for a while. This is even after I cooked each side on medium for 5 minutes. Next time, I will thoroughly cook the chicken before doing all of the other steps.
Kathy says
Hi Diana,
I'm sorry you had issues with the chicken. Did you cut the breasts in half to create smaller medallions first or did you leave them whole. Whole breasts will take much longer to cook. I'm glad you were able to get them fully cooked.
Thanks,
Kathy
Diana says
No need to apologize! I bought thinly sliced chicken breasts but maybe next time I just need to cut them myself to make them thinner. The dinner was really delicious and I will definitely make it again!
Kathy says
Thanks, Diana! 🙂
Valentina says
Kathy, this is the ultimate comfort food. The creamy sauce, the soft orzo, and the hearty chicken. Yum, yum and yum! I'm in. 🙂 ~Valentina
Kathy says
Thank you!!!
David @ Spiced says
This looks like the ultimate comfort food! I love creamy pasta dishes, so of course this one is calling my name. And the fact that it is cooked in one skillet? So easy! This sounds like a great meal for an early fall day when the night starts to get a little chilly!
Kathy says
Thanks, David!!! And you're right, total comfort food! 🙂