Description
This One Pot Marry Me Chicken Orzo is a creamy, flavorful dish featuring tender seared chicken breasts simmered with orzo pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, and a rich Parmesan cream sauce. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner, this recipe combines minimal cleanup with maximum taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Pasta and Vegetables
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, diced
Liquids and Dairy
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Oils and Garnish
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry and season both sides evenly with salt, pepper, and dried oregano to ensure flavorful meat.
- Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and sear until golden brown on both sides, about 4 minutes per side. Remove chicken and set aside to keep warm.
- Sauté aromatics: In the same pot, add diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté until softened and fragrant, approximately 3 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Add sun-dried tomatoes and orzo: Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and orzo pasta, coating the pasta with oil and toasting it lightly for about 1-2 minutes to enhance flavor.
- Simmer with broth: Pour in chicken broth and bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat.
- Cook the chicken and orzo: Return the seared chicken breasts to the pot, cover with a lid, and let everything cook together for 15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the orzo is tender.
- Finish with cream and cheese: Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese, cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes until the sauce is creamy and heated through.
- Season to taste: Adjust the seasoning with additional salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using, to reach your preferred spice level.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh basil or parsley over the dish before serving for a fresh, vibrant finish.
Notes
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter version, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to better control salt levels in the dish.
- Sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil work best for added flavor; if using dry, rehydrate in warm water before chopping.
- To make this recipe vegetarian, omit the chicken and increase the broth by 1 cup, adding mushrooms or other vegetables if desired.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth or water if needed.
