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

Scale

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