Description
Classic Marry Me Chicken Orzo is a creamy, one-pan chicken dinner packed with tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, Parmesan, and perfectly cooked orzo. This easy dinner is rich, cozy, and full of comforting Italian-inspired flavor, making it a great choice for quick weeknight meals, dinner ideas, family food ideas, and an easy recipe that feels special without being complicated.
Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 1/2 cups dry orzo
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
3 cups chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
3 cups fresh spinach
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons fresh basil or parsley, chopped
Instructions
1. Pat the chicken dry, then season it with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
2. Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, until golden and mostly cooked through. Transfer to a plate.
3. Reduce the heat to medium. Add butter to the same skillet, then stir in the garlic for about 30 seconds.
4. Add the sun-dried tomatoes and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir for 1 minute to build flavor.
5. Add the dry orzo and stir for 1 to 2 minutes so it lightly toasts in the garlic tomato mixture.
6. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring often, until the orzo is almost tender.
7. Stir in the heavy cream, then return the chicken and any juices to the skillet. Simmer gently for 3 to 5 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through.
8. Add the Parmesan cheese and stir until melted into the sauce.
9. Fold in the spinach and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, until wilted.
10. Taste and adjust seasoning, then garnish with fresh basil or parsley and serve warm.
Notes
Use freshly grated Parmesan for the smoothest sauce because pre-shredded cheese may not melt as cleanly.
Stir the orzo often while it simmers so it does not stick to the bottom of the skillet.
If the sauce gets too thick, add a splash of warm chicken broth or cream until it becomes silky again.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 635
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 920 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 46 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 41 g
- Cholesterol: 165 mg
Keywords: Classic Marry Me Chicken Orzo, creamy chicken orzo, one-pan chicken dinner, easy dinner recipe, weeknight dinner ideas, chicken orzo recipe, creamy Parmesan chicken