Description
Discover the ultimate comfort food with this One Pot Chicken Orzo recipe. Perfect for busy weeknights or family gatherings, this dish combines tender chicken, vibrant vegetables, and creamy orzo all cooked in one pot for a hassle-free meal. In just 45 minutes, you can enjoy a rich and delicious dish that balances flavor with nutrition. The creamy sauce, created with half-and-half and parmesan, clings to every bite of orzo and chicken, making it irresistible. Impress your family and friends with this easy-to-make recipe that’s not only satisfying but also adaptable to your taste preferences.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
- ½ cup diced yellow onion
- 2 cups chopped fresh asparagus
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 8 ounces dry orzo
- 2 ½ cups low sodium chicken broth
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- ⅓ cup half-and-half
- ⅓ cup freshly grated parmesan
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- Chopped fresh parsley and extra Parmesan for garnish
Instructions
- Season the chicken with garlic powder, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- In a large high-sided pan over medium-high heat, heat olive oil and brown the seasoned chicken for about 10–12 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté asparagus in the same pan for about 2 minutes until tender but crisp. Set aside with the chicken.
- Cook onion until softened (about 3 minutes), then add orzo and minced garlic; toast slightly for another 3 minutes.
- Stir in chicken broth, bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for about 7 minutes until most liquid is absorbed.
- Mix in the cooked chicken, asparagus, half-and-half, parmesan, spinach, and thyme; heat through for another couple of minutes.
- Serve garnished with chopped parsley and extra parmesan.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: One Pot Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1 cup (300g)
- Calories: 425
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: Feel free to customize by adding different vegetables like bell peppers or swapping chicken for shrimp or tofu. For extra flavor, consider using homemade broth instead of store-bought.