Description
This Marry Me Chicken Orzo is a creamy, flavorful one-pan dish featuring tender chicken in a rich sun-dried tomato parmesan sauce, combined with orzo for the ultimate comfort meal. Perfect for date nights or cozy dinners! 🍗🧀
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (halved lengthwise)
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tbsp olive oil
For the Orzo & Sauce:
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
- 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
-
Season & Sear the Chicken:
- Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Sear chicken for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
-
Sauté the Aromatics & Cook the Orzo:
- In the same pan, add garlic and sun-dried tomatoes; cook for 1 minute.
- Stir in orzo pasta and lightly toast for 1-2 minutes.
-
Make the Creamy Sauce:
- Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine.
- Stir in Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and Parmesan cheese.
- Simmer for 7-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is tender.
-
Add the Chicken & Finish Cooking:
- Return seared chicken to the skillet and let simmer for 5 minutes, allowing flavors to blend.
- Sprinkle with fresh basil before serving.
-
Serve & Enjoy:
- Plate the dish warm and serve with extra Parmesan cheese and a side of garlic bread.
Notes
- For extra depth, add a splash of white wine before adding broth.
- For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- To make it gluten-free, swap orzo for cooked quinoa or rice.