Go Back
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo

Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo

Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo delivers an incredibly satisfying one-pan meal bursting with vibrant flavors and delightful textures. This recipe is your weeknight hero, offering restaurant-quality taste with minimal effort.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian Inspired

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
  • 1.5 pounds Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 teaspoon Salt plus more to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper plus more to taste
  • 1 small Yellow Onion finely chopped
  • 3 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1 cup Orzo Pasta
  • 3 cups Low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup Sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed) drained and chopped
  • 1/2 cup Heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup Grated Parmesan cheese plus more for garnish
  • 2 cups Fresh spinach
  • 1/4 cup Fresh parsley chopped, for garnish

Equipment

  • Large Skillet or Dutch Oven
  • Plate

Method
 

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces generously with salt and pepper. Add the chicken to the hot skillet in a single layer and cook for 3-5 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
    1 tablespoon Olive Oil, 1.5 pounds Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, 1 teaspoon Salt, 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
  2. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the chopped onion to the same 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 small Yellow Onion, 3 cloves Garlic
  3. Add the dry orzo pasta to the skillet with the onions and garlic. Stir well to coat the orzo in the residual oil and aromatics. Toast the orzo for about 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until it becomes lightly golden and fragrant. This step enhances the nutty flavor of the orzo.
    1 cup Orzo Pasta
  4. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it cook for 10-12 minutes, or until the orzo is al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
    3 cups Low-sodium chicken broth, 1/2 cup Sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed)
  5. Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Continue to cook, stirring, for another 2-3 minutes until the sauce has thickened slightly and is smooth and creamy.
    1/2 cup Heavy cream, 1/4 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
  6. Add the cooked chicken back into the skillet. Add the fresh spinach on top of the chicken and sauce. Cover the skillet for 1-2 minutes, or until the spinach has wilted.
    1.5 pounds Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, 2 cups Fresh spinach
  7. Stir everything together gently until the spinach is fully incorporated and the chicken is heated through. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Garnish generously with fresh chopped parsley and extra grated Parmesan cheese before serving.
    1 teaspoon Salt, 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper, 1/4 cup Fresh parsley, 1/4 cup Grated Parmesan cheese

Notes

This is a creamy, one-pan meal with chicken, orzo, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach. Ready in under an hour!
QR Code linking back to recipe