Description
A comforting one-pot dish combining tender chicken, creamy cheese, and orzo pasta, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (plus more to taste)
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 cup yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups dry orzo pasta
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 0.75 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (divided, for extra melt)
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
- 2 cups baby spinach, chopped
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped (plus more for garnish)
- 0.25 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the chicken pieces and season with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and oregano. Cook until the chicken is browned and cooked through, about 6-7 minutes.
- Remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside.
- In the same pot, melt the butter. Add the diced onion and sauté until transparent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Stir in the orzo pasta and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 8-10 minutes, or until the orzo is tender.
- Stir in the heavy cream, cheddar cheese (reserving some for later), Parmesan cheese, chopped spinach, lemon zest, lemon juice, and cooked chicken. Mix well until the cheese melts and everything is heated through.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and any reserved cheese.
Notes
For extra flavor, marinate the chicken pieces in spices for a few hours. This dish can also be made vegetarian by using mushrooms or chickpeas.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: chicken, orzo, comfort food, one-pot meal, cheesy