Easy Chicken Orzo (One-Pan, Creamy & Weeknight-Fast!)
Juicy, golden chicken… silky, flavor-soaked orzo… and a light, creamy finish that tastes like you tried much harder than you actually did. This easy chicken orzo is fast, comforting, and dangerously good for something that comes together in one pan!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound chicken breast or thighs, sliced (thighs are our favorite;)
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup dry orzo
- 2 ¼ cups chicken broth
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (Here are the interesting details on why you should never use pre-shredded cheese!
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the chicken, then sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes. Cook until lightly golden and cooked through (no need to obsess… just let it get some golden perfection).
- Add the diced onion and cook until soft
- Stir in the garlic and let it wake up for about 30 seconds (right about when your kitchen starts smelling like a dream;).
- Add the dry orzo and stir so it gets coated in all that savory goodness.
- Pour in the broth and bring to a gentle boil.
- Lower the heat to low-medium and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the orzo turns tender and creamy.
- Stir in Parmesan and butter until everything becomes glossy, silky, and very hard to resist.
- Finish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Tips & Variations
- A squeeze of lemon at the end brightens everything beautifully.
- Want it extra creamy? Add more Parmesan or a spoonful of ricotta.
- Love heat? Try a drizzle of chili oil on top!
- Chicken thighs = richer, juicier, fabulously more indulgent.
- Stir in spinach at the end for a “look, I added greens” moment.
- Leftovers reheat like a dream with a splash of broth!
- A drizzle of browned butter adds extra richness
Love cozy pasta? Check out this Creamy Lemon Pasta with Crispy Bacon and this Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta, this viral Marry Me Chicken, these Ultra-Crispy Oven Baked Boneless Chicken Thighs and this delightfully easy Cheesy Baked Macaroni with Beef! And if you’re in the mood for a simple one pot wonder meal?! This EPIC One Pot Lasagna dinner that’s ready in less than 27 minutes will absolutely become your new favorite busy-night dinner!
Want an easy and delicious dessert to make with this dinner? Try this viral Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding Copy Cat recipe – it’s creamy, no-bake and ALWAYS a hit!
Love garlic? We triple-dog-dare you to click here.. 😉
