This Easy One-Pan Balsamic Chicken Orzo delivers a complete, flavorful meal with minimal cleanup. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe combines tender chicken, creamy orzo pasta, and a tangy balsamic glaze all cooked together in a single pan, making it incredibly efficient and utterly delicious.
Key Ingredients for Easy One-Pan Balsamic Chicken Orzo
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 teaspoon salt, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, divided
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1.5 cups orzo pasta
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
How to Make Easy One-Pan Balsamic Chicken Orzo
This Easy One-Pan Balsamic Chicken Orzo is a culinary marvel of simplicity and flavor. In under 40 minutes, you’ll create a rich, satisfying dish that will become a staple in your meal rotation. The magic lies in how all the ingredients meld together in one pan, building layers of incredible taste, from the savory chicken to the creamy orzo absorbing every drop of the luscious balsamic glaze. Prepare to be amazed by how a single pan can yield such a complete and delicious meal with minimal effort.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Sear the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Add the chicken to the hot skillet in a single layer and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until browned. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
- Sauté Aromatics: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Toast the Orzo: Add the dry orzo pasta to the skillet with the onions and garlic. Stir well to coat the orzo with the residual oil and cook for about 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the orzo is lightly toasted and has a slightly nutty aroma. This step adds a wonderful depth of flavor to the pasta.
- Deglaze and Simmer: Pour in the chicken broth and balsamic vinegar. Scrape the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon to loosen any browned bits; this is where a lot of the flavor resides. Bring the liquid to a gentle simmer.
- Combine and Cook: Return the seared chicken (and any accumulated juices from the plate) to the skillet and nestle it among the orzo. Stir in the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper.
- Simmer Until Tender: Cover the skillet and let it simmer gently for 15-20 minutes, or until the orzo is cooked al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed, creating a creamy sauce. Stir occasionally to prevent the orzo from sticking to the bottom.
- Finish and Serve: Once the orzo is tender and the sauce has thickened, stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Garnish: Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately. For an extra touch, you can garnish with additional Parmesan cheese.
Why You’ll Love This Easy One-Pan Balsamic Chicken Orzo
This Easy One-Pan Balsamic Chicken Orzo is an absolute dream for busy cooks and flavor enthusiasts alike. Its primary appeal lies in the incredible ability to transform simple ingredients into a gourmet-tasting meal with minimal effort, a stark contrast to complicated, multi-step dishes. Not only does it save you valuable time in the kitchen, but it also significantly cuts down on cleanup with its single-pan approach, making it a budget-friendly and sanity-saving option. The tangy sweetness of the balsamic glaze, perfectly coating the tender chicken and creamy orzo, creates a harmony of flavors that’s simply irresistible.
Imagine a dinner where the main dish is both sophisticated and incredibly easy – that’s the promise of this recipe. It offers a wonderful departure from the usual, proving that weeknight meals don’t have to be boring or time-consuming. If you’re looking for a flavorful, satisfying, and practically effortless meal that the whole family will adore, then this Easy One-Pan Balsamic Chicken Orzo is calling your name. Don’t wait to experience this culinary delight; try it tonight and make it your new favorite!
Storing and Reheating Tips
- Refrigeration: Once cooled, store leftover Easy One-Pan Balsamic Chicken Orzo in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheating: To reheat, spoon the desired portion into a microwave-safe dish and add a tablespoon or two of water or chicken broth to help rehydrate the orzo. Microwave on medium power in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until heated through. Alternatively, you can gently reheat it on the stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently, until warm.
- Freezing: For longer storage, you can freeze portions of the cooled orzo. Place it in freezer-safe containers or bags, ensuring they are well-sealed to prevent freezer burn. Frozen orzo can be kept for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating as described above.
Final Thoughts
The Easy One-Pan Balsamic Chicken Orzo is a testament to how delicious and accessible home cooking can be. This recipe simplifies your weeknights without sacrificing flavor, delivering a satisfying and crowd-pleasing meal with unmatched ease. Give it a try and discover your new favorite go-to dish; you won’t be disappointed!
try also :
- Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Crispy Sweet Potato Bites
- Matcha Cake Recipe
- find more in Pinterest
Easy One-Pan Balsamic Chicken Orzo
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat the olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Add the chicken to the hot skillet in a single layer and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until browned. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.1 tablespoon Olive oil, 1.5 pounds Boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces, 1 teaspoon Salt, divided, 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper, divided
- Reduce the heat to medium. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.1 medium Medium yellow onion, finely chopped, 3 cloves Cloves garlic, minced
- Add the dry orzo pasta to the skillet with the onions and garlic. Stir well to coat the orzo with the residual oil and cook for about 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the orzo is lightly toasted and has a slightly nutty aroma. This step adds a wonderful depth of flavor to the pasta.1.5 cups Orzo pasta, 1 medium Medium yellow onion, finely chopped, 3 cloves Cloves garlic, minced
- Pour in the chicken broth and balsamic vinegar. Scrape the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon to loosen any browned bits; this is where a lot of the flavor resides. Bring the liquid to a gentle simmer.3 cups Chicken broth, 0.5 cup Balsamic vinegar
- Return the seared chicken (and any accumulated juices from the plate) to the skillet and nestle it among the orzo. Stir in the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper.1.5 pounds Boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces, 1 teaspoon Salt, divided, 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper, divided
- Cover the skillet and let it simmer gently for 15-20 minutes, or until the orzo is cooked al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed, creating a creamy sauce. Stir occasionally to prevent the orzo from sticking to the bottom.
- Once the orzo is tender and the sauce has thickened, stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.0.25 cup Grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately. For an extra touch, you can garnish with additional Parmesan cheese.2 tablespoons Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish, 0.25 cup Grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving