Description
Cozy Chicken Pot Pie Orzo is a comforting, creamy one-pot meal that combines tender chicken, vibrant vegetables, and tender orzo pasta in a rich, flavorful broth. This easy-to-make dish offers all the warmth of a traditional pot pie with the convenience of stovetop cooking, perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Dairy
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, diced
- 1 tbsp butter
- ½ cup heavy cream (or whole milk)
Vegetables
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup carrots, diced
- 1 cup frozen peas
Pantry and Seasonings
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1½ cups uncooked orzo pasta
- 3 cups chicken broth
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp dried parsley
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Heat fat: In a large pot, warm the olive oil and butter over medium heat until melted and shimmering, preparing the base for sautéing.
- Cook chicken: Add the diced chicken to the pot and cook it until it turns lightly golden and is mostly cooked through, stirring occasionally for even browning.
- Sauté vegetables: Stir in the diced onion and carrots, cooking them until they become softened and fragrant, usually about 4-5 minutes.
- Add garlic: Mix in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds to release its aroma without burning.
- Add liquids and orzo: Pour in the chicken broth and add the uncooked orzo pasta to the pot, stirring to combine evenly.
- Simmer orzo: Bring the mixture up to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer gently for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and cooked through.
- Add finishing ingredients: Stir in the frozen peas, heavy cream, dried thyme, dried parsley, black pepper, and salt to taste, mixing well to combine all flavors.
- Thicken sauce: Continue to simmer the pot pie mixture until it thickens and becomes creamy, about 3 to 5 minutes more, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Rest and serve: Remove the pot from heat and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the dish to cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Substitute heavy cream with whole milk for a lighter dish.
- Use chicken breasts for a leaner option or thighs for richer flavor.
- Frozen peas can be replaced with fresh green beans or corn.
- If desired, garnish with fresh parsley or a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese before serving.
- For added richness, a splash of white wine can be added with the chicken broth.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: chicken pot pie orzo, creamy chicken pasta, one pot meal, comfort food, easy dinner, quick chicken recipe
