Description
This Cozy Chicken Pot Pie Orzo is a comforting and hearty one-pot meal that combines tender chicken, creamy broth, and tender orzo pasta with mixed vegetables and classic pot pie seasonings. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it delivers all the flavors of traditional chicken pot pie in a simple, stovetop dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, diced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup carrots, diced
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1½ cups uncooked orzo pasta
- 3 cups chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream (or whole milk)
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp dried parsley
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Heat the fats: In a large pot over medium heat, melt the olive oil and butter together to prepare the cooking base.
- Cook the chicken: Add the diced chicken to the pot and cook until it turns lightly golden, ensuring it is browned but not overcooked.
- Cook the vegetables: Stir in the diced onion and carrots and cook until they soften, enhancing their natural sweetness and aroma.
- Add garlic: Mix in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, careful not to burn it.
- Add liquids and orzo: Pour in the chicken broth and add the uncooked orzo pasta, stirring to combine.
- Simmer orzo: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer, cooking for 10 to 12 minutes until the orzo is tender but still slightly al dente.
- Add remaining ingredients: Stir in the frozen peas, heavy cream, dried thyme, dried parsley, black pepper, and salt to taste.
- Thicken the sauce: Continue to simmer the mixture until it becomes thick and creamy, melding the flavors together.
- Rest before serving: Remove from heat and let the chicken pot pie orzo rest for 5 minutes to settle and allow the flavors to fully develop before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute heavy cream with whole milk for a lighter version.
- Use chicken thighs for a juicier and more flavorful dish, or chicken breasts for leaner protein.
- If you don’t have orzo, small pasta shapes like ditalini or small elbow macaroni can be used instead.
- Adjust salt and pepper according to your taste preferences.
- This dish can be reheated gently on the stove with a splash of additional broth or cream to restore creaminess.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Chicken pot pie, orzo pasta, comfort food, one-pot meal, creamy chicken, weeknight dinner
