Description
Marry Me Chicken Orzo is a creamy, flavorful one-pan meal combining tender bite-sized chicken pieces with a rich sun-dried tomato and Parmesan sauce, all tossed with delicate orzo pasta and fresh spinach. Ready in 30 minutes, it’s perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner that feels special yet is effortlessly simple.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika, divided
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Orzo:
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 cup uncooked orzo
- 2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1–2 teaspoons lemon juice
Instructions
- Season and Cook Chicken: Season the bite-sized chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and 1 teaspoon of paprika. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes until lightly golden but not fully cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate to rest.
- Sauté Flavorings: Reduce heat to medium and melt butter in the same pan. Add minced garlic, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, dried oregano, red pepper flakes if using, and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon paprika. Cook, stirring often, for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and aromatic.
- Cook Orzo: Stir in uncooked orzo and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer and cook uncovered for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Create Creamy Sauce: Lower the heat to low. Stir in heavy cream and freshly grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Add fresh spinach and stir for 1-2 minutes until wilted and fully incorporated into the sauce.
- Finish Chicken and Serve: Return the partially cooked chicken to the pan and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through completely. Stir in lemon juice to brighten the flavors. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan cheese on top if desired.
Notes
- Melt the Parmesan cheese over low heat to prevent a grainy texture in the sauce.
- Adjust lemon juice from 1 to 2 teaspoons depending on how prominent you want the citrus flavor.
- Use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes for richer flavor. If using dry tomatoes, soak them in hot water for 10 minutes before chopping.
- The orzo will thicken as it cools; add a splash of broth or water when reheating to restore creaminess.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing is not recommended as orzo becomes too soft and mushy after thawing.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: Marry Me Chicken, one pan chicken recipe, creamy orzo pasta, sun-dried tomato chicken, easy weeknight dinner
