Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Orzo
Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Orzo
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 2 boneless chicken breasts, cut into cubes
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, adjust to spice preference
- as needed salt, to taste
- as needed black pepper, to taste
For the Orzo and Sauce
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, adjust to spice preference
- as needed salt, to taste
- as needed black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 1/2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon butter, optional, for extra richness
Instructions
- 1
Cut the 2 boneless chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes. Place the cubed chicken in a medium bowl.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
To the chicken, add 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper. Season generously with salt and black pepper to taste. Mix well to ensure the chicken is evenly coated with the spices.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pan or Dutch oven over medium heat.
⏱️ 1 min
- 4
Add the seasoned chicken to the hot pan and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it is browned on all sides and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
⏱️ 7 min
- 5
Add the 2 minced garlic cloves to the pan (if needed, add a touch more olive oil) and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly.
⏱️ 1 min
- 6
Add 1 cup of orzo pasta to the pan and stir it with the garlic for 1-2 minutes, allowing it to lightly toast.
⏱️ 2 min
- 7
Pour in 2 cups of chicken broth. Add another 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder, and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper. Season again with salt and black pepper to taste. Stir everything together.
⏱️ 2 min
- 8
Add 1 1/2 cups of broccoli florets to the pan and stir them into the orzo mixture.
⏱️ 1 min
- 9
Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pan with a lid, and cook for 12-15 minutes, or until the orzo is cooked through and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
⏱️ 15 min
- 10
Remove the lid. Return the cooked chicken to the pan. Pour in 1/2 cup of heavy cream.
⏱️ 1 min
- 11
Add 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese and 1 tablespoon of butter (if using) to the pan.
⏱️ 1 min
- 12
Stir the mixture gently until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is creamy and well combined. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.
⏱️ 2 min
- 13
Serve the creamy, cheesy broccoli cheddar chicken orzo warm.
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Orzo
For the Chicken
- 2 boneless chicken breasts, cut into cubes
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, adjust to spice preference
- as needed salt, to taste
- as needed black pepper, to taste
For the Orzo and Sauce
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, adjust to spice preference
- as needed salt, to taste
- as needed black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 1/2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon butter, optional, for extra richness
Instructions
- 1
Cut the 2 boneless chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes. Place the cubed chicken in a medium bowl.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
To the chicken, add 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper. Season generously with salt and black pepper to taste. Mix well to ensure the chicken is evenly coated with the spices.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pan or Dutch oven over medium heat.
⏱️ 1 min - 4
Add the seasoned chicken to the hot pan and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it is browned on all sides and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
⏱️ 7 min - 5
Add the 2 minced garlic cloves to the pan (if needed, add a touch more olive oil) and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly.
⏱️ 1 min - 6
Add 1 cup of orzo pasta to the pan and stir it with the garlic for 1-2 minutes, allowing it to lightly toast.
⏱️ 2 min - 7
Pour in 2 cups of chicken broth. Add another 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder, and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper. Season again with salt and black pepper to taste. Stir everything together.
⏱️ 2 min - 8
Add 1 1/2 cups of broccoli florets to the pan and stir them into the orzo mixture.
⏱️ 1 min - 9
Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pan with a lid, and cook for 12-15 minutes, or until the orzo is cooked through and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
⏱️ 15 min - 10
Remove the lid. Return the cooked chicken to the pan. Pour in 1/2 cup of heavy cream.
⏱️ 1 min - 11
Add 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese and 1 tablespoon of butter (if using) to the pan.
⏱️ 1 min - 12
Stir the mixture gently until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is creamy and well combined. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.
⏱️ 2 min - 13
Serve the creamy, cheesy broccoli cheddar chicken orzo warm.