Description
This Chicken and Orzo recipe is a complete dinner in a single skillet, with savory orzo smothered in a creamy cheese sauce with juicy chicken and delicious bites of broccoli.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 cup half and half
- ½ chicken bouillon cube
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon parsley
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- 1–2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breast
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 3 cups broccoli florets
- ⅓ cup chicken broth
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons flour
- ¾ lb. orzo
- 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese
- 3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Step: Combine the sauce ingredients (chicken broth, half and half, bouillon, hot sauce, mustard powder, onion powder, garlic powder, parsley, and paprika) in a large measuring cup and set aside.
- Step: Tenderize chicken breasts with a meat mallet, cut into strips, pat dry, and season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Step: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, sear chicken until golden and cooked through (3-4 minutes per side), then set aside.
- Step: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the orzo.
- Step: Add ⅓ cup chicken broth to the chicken skillet over medium heat, scraping the bottom to release flavor, and simmer until reduced by half.
- Step: Add butter and garlic and cook for 1 minute, then add flour and stir continuously for 2 minutes.
- Step: Stir in the sauce mixture in small splashes, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer on medium-low.
- Step: Cook orzo 1 minute less than package instructions, adding broccoli to the boiling water during the last 3 minutes, then drain.
- Step: Gradually stir cheddar and Parmesan cheese into the sauce until combined.
- Step: Stir in the cooked orzo and broccoli; heat through for 1-2 minutes until sauce thickens.
- Step: Add the cooked chicken and stir to combine until sauce is reduced and orzo is cooked through.
Notes
Shred cheese from a block for a smoother sauce. Use a wide 12-inch skillet to allow the sauce to reduce properly. Frozen broccoli can be used, boiling for only 2.5 minutes.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 596 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 641 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 53 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 109 mg
Keywords: chicken and orzo, creamy cheese sauce, one skillet meal, broccoli, pasta