Marry Me Chicken Orzo Recipe
Introduction
Marry Me Chicken Orzo is a creamy, comforting one-pan dish that combines tender chicken with flavorful sun-dried tomatoes, fresh spinach, and cheesy orzo. It’s easy to prepare and perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner that feels a little special.
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika (divided)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (drained and chopped)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 cup uncooked orzo
- 2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1-2 teaspoons lemon juice
Instructions
- Step 1: Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and 1 teaspoon of paprika. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes until lightly golden on the outside but not fully cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate.
- Step 2: Reduce heat to medium and melt butter in the same pan. Add minced garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, dried oregano, red pepper flakes if using, and the remaining ½ teaspoon of paprika. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring often, until fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in the uncooked orzo and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer and cook uncovered for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
- Step 4: Reduce heat to low. Stir in heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Add the fresh spinach and stir for 1-2 minutes until wilted and incorporated.
- Step 5: Return the partially cooked chicken to the pan and cook for another 2-3 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked through. Stir in lemon juice. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan if desired.
Tips & Variations
- Use chicken thighs instead of breast for juicier meat and richer flavor.
- Swap fresh spinach for kale or swiss chard for a heartier green.
- Add mushrooms or bell peppers along with the sun-dried tomatoes for extra veggies.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or coconut milk.
- Serve with a crusty bread to soak up the creamy sauce.
Storage
Store leftover Marry Me Chicken Orzo in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of chicken broth or water to loosen the sauce if it thickens.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use dried orzo or does it need to be fresh?
Orzo is typically sold dried and works perfectly in this recipe. Just be sure to cook it until tender in the broth as directed.
Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?
You can prep the ingredients ahead, but it’s best to cook everything fresh to maintain the creamy sauce and tender chicken texture. Leftovers reheat well for later meals.
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Marry Me Chicken Orzo Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Marry Me Chicken Orzo is a creamy, comforting one-pan meal featuring tender chicken breast cooked with garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and herbs, combined with orzo pasta simmered in a flavorful chicken broth and finished with heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, fresh spinach, and a hint of lemon juice for brightness.
Ingredients
Chicken and Seasonings
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika (divided)
Cooking Fats and Aromatics
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Flavorings and Vegetables
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Pasta and Liquids
- 1 cup uncooked orzo
- 2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Greens and Finishing Touches
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1–2 teaspoons lemon juice
Instructions
- Season and Brown Chicken: Season the bite-sized chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and 1 teaspoon of paprika. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes until the outside is lightly golden, but not fully cooked through. Remove the chicken and set aside on a plate.
- Cook Aromatics: Lower the heat to medium and melt the butter in the same skillet. Add minced garlic, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, and the remaining ½ teaspoon paprika. Sauté for 1-2 minutes while stirring frequently until fragrant.
- Simmer Orzo: Stir the uncooked orzo into the skillet, then pour in the chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook uncovered for 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
- Add Cream and Spinach: Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Add the fresh spinach and stir for 1-2 minutes until the spinach is wilted and well incorporated into the sauce.
- Finish Cooking Chicken: Return the partially cooked chicken to the skillet and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked through. Stir in 1-2 teaspoons of lemon juice to brighten the flavors.
- Serve: Serve the creamy orzo chicken dish hot, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to better control the saltiness of the dish.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to your heat preference or omit if sensitive to spice.
- Fresh spinach can be substituted with baby kale or other greens as preferred.
- If you prefer a lighter dish, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream, though the sauce will be less rich.
- Ensure to cook the chicken pieces fully during the last step to avoid undercooked poultry.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keywords: Marry Me Chicken, Orzo, Creamy Chicken Pasta, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, One-Pan Meal, Easy Dinner
