Description
Indulge in a luxurious, creamy dinner that combines tender chicken with perfectly cooked orzo in a savory tomato and parmesan sauce. This one-pan wonder utilizes sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and fresh herbs to create a deep, complex flavor profile. By cooking the pasta directly in the sauce, the starch thickens the base naturally, resulting in a rich, velvety texture that is perfect for a quick, impressive weeknight meal without the need for multiple pots.
Ingredients
1.5 lbs chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
1.5 cups dry orzo pasta
3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
0.5 cup heavy cream
0.5 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
0.75 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
1 tsp Italian seasoning
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
Season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
Sear the chicken until golden brown on all sides and mostly cooked through, then remove and set aside.
Sauté the minced garlic in the same pan for one minute until fragrant.
Add the sun-dried tomatoes and cook briefly to release their oils.
Pour in the chicken broth and deglaze the pan by scraping up the browned bits.
Stir in the dry orzo, bring to a simmer, and cook for 8-10 minutes until the pasta is tender.
Stir in the heavy cream and parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Add the chicken back into the pan and stir until heated through.
Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
Use half-and-half as a lighter alternative to heavy cream. Ensure the orzo is cooked until al dente to maintain the best texture. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of extra chicken broth to reach your desired consistency.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Baking
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 110mg