Description
This One Pot Marry Me Chicken Orzo is a creamy, flavorful dish featuring tender chicken breasts simmered with orzo pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and Parmesan in a savory broth. Perfect for a comforting weeknight meal, it comes together in one pan for easy cleanup and is garnished with fresh herbs for a burst of freshness.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Orzo and Sauce
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Garnish
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Season chicken breasts evenly with salt, pepper, and dried oregano to enhance their natural flavor.
- Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook until golden brown on each side, about 4 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside to keep warm.
- Sauté aromatics: In the same pot, add diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté for about 3 minutes until the onion is softened and fragrant, building the base flavor for the dish.
- Add sun-dried tomatoes and orzo: Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and orzo pasta, coating the orzo in oil and lightly toasting it for a minute or so to enhance flavor and texture.
- Pour in chicken broth: Add the chicken broth to the pot and bring the mixture to a simmer, preparing to cook the orzo and chicken together.
- Simmer chicken and orzo: Return the seared chicken breasts to the pot. Cover and cook for about 15 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and the orzo is tender, ensuring all flavors meld beautifully.
- Add cream and cheese: Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese, cooking for an additional 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce becomes creamy and heated through.
- Season to taste: Adjust the seasoning by adding salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes for a hint of heat according to your preference.
- Garnish and serve: Finish by sprinkling chopped fresh basil or parsley on top before serving for a fresh, aromatic touch.
Notes
- For a spicier variation, increase the red pepper flakes or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to control sodium content.
- To make it dairy-free, substitute heavy cream and Parmesan with coconut cream and nutritional yeast, respectively.
- Ensure not to overcook the orzo to maintain a pleasant texture.
- This recipe can be adapted by adding vegetables like spinach or mushrooms during the sauté step.
