Creamy One-Pan Marry Me Chicken Orzo
Creamy One-Pan Marry Me Chicken Orzo
Ingredients
For the Chicken Marinade
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Orzo and Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 garlic, cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil, drained and chopped
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated, plus more for serving
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped, for garnish
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
Instructions
- 1
Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. In a medium bowl, combine the chicken thighs with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, paprika, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and black pepper. Toss to coat the chicken evenly. Cover the bowl and refrigerate to marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the marinated chicken thighs and sear for 4-5 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate, tented with foil to keep warm.
⏱️ 10 min
- 3
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
⏱️ 2 min
- 4
Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then stir in the orzo pasta and optional red pepper flakes. Cover the skillet and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
⏱️ 12 min
- 5
Stir in the 1/2 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese and fresh spinach. Cook for another 1-2 minutes, or until the spinach has wilted.
⏱️ 2 min
- 6
Slice the cooked chicken thighs into strips or bite-sized pieces. Return the chicken to the skillet, nestling it into the orzo. Garnish with fresh chopped basil and additional Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve immediately.
⏱️ 4 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Creamy One-Pan Marry Me Chicken Orzo
For the Chicken Marinade
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Orzo and Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 garlic, cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil, drained and chopped
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated, plus more for serving
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped, for garnish
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
Instructions
- 1
Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. In a medium bowl, combine the chicken thighs with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, paprika, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and black pepper. Toss to coat the chicken evenly. Cover the bowl and refrigerate to marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the marinated chicken thighs and sear for 4-5 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate, tented with foil to keep warm.
⏱️ 10 min - 3
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
⏱️ 2 min - 4
Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then stir in the orzo pasta and optional red pepper flakes. Cover the skillet and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
⏱️ 12 min - 5
Stir in the 1/2 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese and fresh spinach. Cook for another 1-2 minutes, or until the spinach has wilted.
⏱️ 2 min - 6
Slice the cooked chicken thighs into strips or bite-sized pieces. Return the chicken to the skillet, nestling it into the orzo. Garnish with fresh chopped basil and additional Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve immediately.
⏱️ 4 min