Description

This One-Pot Creamy Chicken Orzo recipe is a comforting and easy-to-make meal that combines tender diced chicken, creamy orzo pasta, and vibrant peas all cooked together in a single pot. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want a flavorful and satisfying dish with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein and Main Ingredients

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
1 cup orzo pasta
1 cup frozen peas (or fresh, if preferred)

Vegetables and Aromatics

1 small onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced

Liquids and Dairy

4 cups chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)

Oils and Seasonings

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

Cook the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook for about 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.
Sauté Vegetables: In the same pot, add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
Cook the Orzo: Stir in the orzo pasta and cook for 1-2 minutes, allowing it to toast slightly. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
Make it Creamy: Stir in the heavy cream, frozen peas, and dried Italian seasoning. Return the cooked chicken to the pot and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until everything is heated through. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
Finish and Serve: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Serve warm, garnished with chopped fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

For a lighter option, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
You can use fresh peas instead of frozen if available.
To add more vegetables, consider stirring in spinach or mushrooms with the peas.
If you prefer more cheese flavor, sprinkle extra Parmesan on top before serving.
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: one-pot chicken orzo, creamy chicken pasta, easy chicken dinner, one pot meal, creamy orzo recipe