Marry Me Chicken Orzo Recipe
Introduction
Marry Me Chicken Orzo is a creamy, flavorful one-pan dish that combines tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh spinach with cheesy orzo pasta. It’s perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner that feels special without the fuss.
Ingredients
- 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
- 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
- Step 1: Season the chicken 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 on the outside but not fully cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate.
- Step 2: Reduce the heat to medium and melt the butter in the same pan. Add the minced garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, oregano, red pepper flakes if using, and the remaining ½ teaspoon paprika. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring often, until fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in the 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 has been absorbed.
- Step 4: Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Add the fresh spinach and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring until the spinach is wilted and incorporated into the sauce.
- Step 5: Return the chicken to the pan and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through. Stir in the lemon juice. Serve immediately, topped with extra Parmesan if desired.
Tips & Variations
- For more heat, increase the red pepper flakes or add a dash of cayenne pepper.
- Use fresh herbs like basil or thyme instead of dried oregano for a brighter flavor.
- Swap chicken broth for vegetable broth to make this dish vegetarian by substituting chicken with mushrooms or tofu.
- To save time, use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken shredded into bite-sized pieces.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth or cream to loosen the sauce if needed.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of pasta instead of orzo?
Yes, small pasta shapes like ditalini or small shells work well. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly as some pasta types may need more or less time.
Is it possible to make this dish dairy-free?
You can substitute the heavy cream with coconut milk or a dairy-free cream alternative, and use nutritional yeast in place of Parmesan cheese for a similar cheesy flavor.
Print
Marry Me Chicken Orzo Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Marry Me Chicken Orzo is a creamy, flavorful one-pan dish featuring tender bite-sized chicken breast pieces simmered with orzo pasta in a rich blend of sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and Parmesan cheese, finished with fresh spinach and a hint of lemon juice. This comforting and quick skillet meal is perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
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
Sauce and Pasta
- 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 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 on the outside, but not fully cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics and spices: Reduce the skillet heat to medium and melt the butter. Add minced garlic, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, dried oregano, red pepper flakes (if using), and the remaining ½ teaspoon paprika. Cook, stirring frequently, for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Cook orzo: Stir in the uncooked orzo and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook uncovered for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Add cream and cheese: Lower the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream and freshly grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Add fresh spinach and cook for 1-2 minutes until wilted and incorporated into the sauce.
- Finish cooking chicken: Return the partially cooked chicken to the skillet. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the chicken is cooked through. Stir in lemon juice. Serve the dish hot with extra Parmesan cheese on top if desired.
Notes
- The chicken does not need to be fully cooked in the first step as it will finish cooking later with the sauce.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to your preferred level of spiciness or omit for a milder dish.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to control the saltiness of the dish.
- Fresh spinach can be substituted with kale or Swiss chard for variation.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Marry Me Chicken, Orzo, One-Pan Dinner, Creamy Chicken Pasta, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Skillet Meal
