Marry Me Chicken Orzo Recipe

Introduction

Marry Me Chicken Orzo is a creamy, flavorful one-pan dish that’s perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner. Tender chicken breasts simmered in a rich sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and orzo pasta make every bite irresistibly delicious.

Ingredients

• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 cup orzo pasta
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2 tablespoons fresh chopped basil or parsley

Instructions

1. Step 1: Slice chicken breasts in half if thick, pat dry, and season both sides with salt and pepper.
2. Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 4–5 minutes per side until golden brown, then remove from the pan and set aside.
3. Step 3: Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds, then stir in chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another minute.
4. Step 4: Pour in chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a simmer.
5. Step 5: Stir in heavy cream and orzo pasta. Simmer gently for 8–10 minutes, stirring often, until the orzo is tender and creamy.
6. Step 6: Add grated parmesan cheese and stir until melted. Return the chicken to the pan and cook for another 2–3 minutes to heat through.
7. Step 7: Sprinkle with red pepper flakes if using, and fresh chopped basil or parsley. Serve warm.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in a bit of lemon juice and garlic before cooking.
• Substitute orzo with other small pasta shapes like acini di pepe or small shells.
• Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter sauce.
• Add a handful of baby spinach in step 5 for a pop of color and nutrition.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of chicken broth or water to loosen the sauce if it has thickened.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken breasts for this recipe?

It’s best to use fresh or fully thawed chicken breasts for even cooking. If using frozen, thaw completely in the fridge before starting.

What can I serve with Marry Me Chicken Orzo?

This dish is rich and filling on its own, but a simple green salad or steamed vegetables make excellent, light side options.

Marry Me Chicken Orzo Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 71 reviews

• Author: Lila
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

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Description

Marry Me Chicken Orzo is a creamy, flavorful one-pan skillet meal featuring tender seared chicken breasts simmered in a luscious sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, parmesan, and orzo pasta. This comforting dish comes together in about 40 minutes, making it perfect for a delicious weeknight dinner that feels special.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken

• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Sauce & Pasta

• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 cup orzo pasta
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2 tablespoons fresh chopped basil or parsley

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Instructions

1. Prepare the chicken: Slice chicken breasts in half if they are thick to ensure even cooking. Pat them dry thoroughly and season both sides generously with salt and black pepper.
2. Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and sear for 4 to 5 minutes per side until they develop a beautiful golden-brown crust. Once seared, remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
3. Sauté garlic and sun-dried tomatoes: Reduce the heat to medium. Add minced garlic to the pan and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another minute to release their flavor.
4. Add chicken broth and simmer: Pour the chicken broth into the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom with a wooden spoon to incorporate all the flavors. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
5. Cook the orzo in the creamy sauce: Stir in the heavy cream and orzo pasta. Continue to simmer gently for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking, until the orzo is cooked through and tender.
6. Finish the sauce and reheat chicken: Add grated parmesan cheese to the pan and stir until it melts into the sauce. Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes to allow flavors to meld and chicken to warm through.
7. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle red pepper flakes if desired for a touch of heat and garnish with freshly chopped basil or parsley. Serve the dish warm and enjoy your creamy, comforting Marry Me Chicken Orzo.

Notes

• For thicker chicken breasts, slicing them in half helps them cook evenly and quickly.
• If sun-dried tomatoes are packed in oil, drain them well before chopping and adding.
• You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, but it will be less rich.
• Feel free to use fresh herbs of your choice, such as thyme or oregano, as alternatives to basil or parsley.
• Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat gently on the stovetop to prevent the cream from breaking.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: Marry Me Chicken, Creamy Chicken Orzo, Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken, One-Pan Chicken Dinner, Easy Weeknight Italian