One-Pan Marry Me Chicken Orzo (Printable Version)

Tender chicken and orzo in a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce cooked together for a quick, satisfying weeknight meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 1.3 lbs)
02 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
03 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
04 - 1 teaspoon Italian herb seasoning
05 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Sauce and Orzo

06 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
08 - 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and thinly sliced
09 - 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
10 - 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
11 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
12 - 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
13 - 1/2 cup baby spinach leaves (optional)
14 - 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
15 - 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season both sides with kosher salt, black pepper, and Italian herb seasoning.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat. Place chicken breasts in the pan and sear for 3–4 minutes per side until golden. Transfer chicken to a plate; it will finish cooking later.
03 - Reduce heat to medium. In the same pan, add garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, scraping up any browned bits.
04 - Stir in sun-dried tomatoes. Add orzo, chicken broth, and heavy cream to the pan. Combine thoroughly and bring to a gentle simmer.
05 - Nestle seared chicken breasts back into the pan. Cover and cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is tender and chicken is cooked through to 165°F internal temperature.
06 - Transfer chicken to a plate. Stir Parmesan cheese, spinach, basil, and parsley into the orzo. Let spinach wilt for 1–2 minutes.
07 - Return chicken to the pan. Spoon sauce over chicken and garnish with additional basil if desired. Serve immediately while hot.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Uses just one pan for easy cleanup
  • Delivers restaurant-worthy flavors with weeknight simplicity
  • Ready in under an hour
  • Pairs lean protein with wholesome orzo and savory vegetables
02 -
  • High in protein and fiber thanks to chicken and orzo
  • Easy to adapt for dairy free by swapping cream and cheese
  • Perfectly creamy sauce comes from simmering not loads of butter
03 -
  • Sear the chicken deeply for max flavor do not be afraid of a little color
  • Grate your own Parmesan for the creamiest sauce
  • Stir the orzo often and scrape the pan bottom to keep it from sticking
  • Resist the urge to cook on high heat or the sauce may split
  • Extra herbs just before serving brighten up the whole dish

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