Creamy Chicken Orzo

Name: Creamy Chicken Orzo
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
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 1/2 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); 1 tablespoon parmesan cheese (optional); 1 teaspoon fresh herbs (optional)

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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!

A pan filled with chicken, orzo and spinach.

Table of Contents show

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

Ingredients for making a chicken and pasta dish.

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

Spinach in a pan with pasta and a creamy sauce.

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:

A chicken breast alongside some creamy orzo pasta.

More chicken dishes

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!

Comments

Valentina says

August 30, 2021 at 7:14 am

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

Reply
- Kathy says
  
  August 31, 2021 at 6:20 am
  
  Thank you!!!
  
  Reply
David @ Spiced says

August 24, 2021 at 5:42 am

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!

Reply
- Kathy says
  
  August 24, 2021 at 5:55 am
  
  Thanks, David!!! And you're right, total comfort food! 🙂
  
  Reply