I love one pan meals and this creamy chicken and orzo pasta has so much goodness combined all in one dish! It’s made with tender chicken, baby spinach, and a creamy & super flavorful orzo pasta that truly makes this recipe a one-pot wonder!
Now I have to be honest, this chicken orzo recipe is a combination of two of my already favorite recipes. My one pan chicken and rice and my creamy mushroom orzo skillet. Those are two of my family’s favorites, so I thought why not combine them to make one incredible recipe. And my goodness it is absolutely delicious!☺️
Here’s What You’ll Need
- Chicken thighs: I’m using boneless, skinless chicken thighs because they’re thinner than breasts, easy to fit in one pan, and stay tender and juicy the entire time. But you can use boneless chicken breasts instead. Just make sure to cut the breasts in half to make thinner cutlets.
- Orzo: Orzo is a small shaped pasta that cooks quickly and easily. It’s perfect for one pan dishes like this one!
- Sautéed onion and garlic: Adds a savory flavor and base foundation for this dish.
- Spices: A simple seasoning mix of Italian seasoning, Adobo all-purpose seasoning, salt, black pepper, onion powder, and smoked paprika adds the best flavor to the chicken and the orzo. It’s the same seasoning mix that I use for these juicy baked chicken legs!
- Chicken Broth: The chicken broth cooks the orzo and adds more depth of flavor to the dish. Try to choose a good quality chicken broth. I use Better Than Bouillon roasted chicken base to make my broth.
- Spinach, Parmesan cheese, and Heavy cream: These add the finishing touches to the pasta. The heavy cream is totally optional. It gives the orzo a creamy consistency, but I’ve made this recipe several times with and without it. Trust me, it’s good both ways!😉
How To Make Creamy Chicken Orzo
Season the chicken thighs very well with olive oil and the seasoning blend. Reserve some of the seasoning mix to season the orzo later.
Sear the chicken in a large skillet until golden brown on both sides. Then transfer it to a separate plate and set aside.
Sauté the onion then add the garlic, orzo, and reserved seasoning. Pour in the chicken broth and stir.
Add the seared chicken thighs back to the skillet on top of the orzo. Bring to a boil then reduce the heat and simmer. Stir the orzo periodically to prevent any sticking.
Once the orzo is cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and add the spinach, parmesan, and heavy cream (optional).
Stir together and then add the chicken back in. Simmer for 1-2 more minutes. That's it! Easy and all in one skillet.
One Pan Creamy Chicken and Orzo
Equipment
Ingredients
Seasoning
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Adobo all-purpose seasoning
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Chicken and Orzo
- 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- ½ yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 3 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped
- ¼ cup grated parmesan
- ¼ cup heavy cream* (optional)
Instructions
- Start by mixing all of the chicken seasoning ingredients together in a small bowl. Reserve 1 teaspoon of the seasoning to season the orzo.
- In a large bowl or on a cutting board, spread ½ tablespoon of the olive oil over the chicken thighs. Add the rest of the seasoning to the chicken and rub it into both sides of the chicken thoroughly.
- Now heat a large 12-inch deep skillet over medium heat. Add the remaining olive oil and swirl to coat the bottom of the pan. Add the chicken thighs (smooth side down) to the hot skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes on both sides until golden brown. Remove the chicken to a separate plate and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the diced onion. Sauté the onions for 3 minutes, then add the minced garlic and sauté for another 30 seconds.
- Now add the orzo pasta to the skillet along with the 1 teaspoon or reserved seasoning. Stir to combine with the onions and garlic.
- Next, pour in the chicken broth and stir. Scrape up any brown bits that may be stuck to the bottom of the pan. Place the chicken thighs back in the skillet on top of the orzo. Bring the skillet up to a boil. As soon as it starts to boil, immediately reduce the heat to medium-low and place a lid on top. Simmer the chicken and orzo for 12 minutes, stirring occasionally to keep the orzo from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- After 12 minutes, remove the chicken again to a separate plate, and add the chopped spinach, parmesan cheese, and heavy cream. Remember the heavy cream is optional if you want a creamy pasta. Stir everything together for 1-2 minutes until the spinach wilts down.
- Now add the chicken back in the skillet and let the skillet simmer for 1-2 more minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and serve warm. Enjoy!
Notes
- The heavy cream is optional. It gives the orzo pasta a delicious creamy texture, but I’ve also made this recipe several times without it. Trust me, it’s good both ways!
Nutrition
More Easy One Pan Recipes
- Sausage and Peppers Skillet
- Egg Roll In A Bowl
- Smoked Sausage and Fried Cabbage
- Chicken Sausage Stir Fry with Vegetables
- Vegetable Fried Rice
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