Description
Marry Me Chicken Orzo is a creamy, comforting skillet dish featuring tender bite-sized chicken pieces simmered with orzo pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and a luscious Parmesan-infused cream sauce. This one-pan meal is packed with Mediterranean-inspired flavors and comes together quickly, making it a perfect weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika (divided)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Sauce and Orzo
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 cup uncooked orzo
- 2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1–2 teaspoons lemon juice
Instructions
- Season and Sauté Chicken: Season the bite-sized chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and 1 teaspoon of paprika. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes until the pieces are lightly golden on the outside but not fully cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare the Flavor Base: Lower the heat to medium and melt the butter in the same skillet. Add minced garlic, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, dried oregano, red pepper flakes (if using), and the remaining ½ teaspoon of paprika. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring often until the mixture is fragrant.
- Cook Orzo in Broth: Stir in the uncooked orzo and pour in the chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook uncovered for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
- Create Creamy Sauce: Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy. Add the fresh spinach and stir for 1-2 minutes until wilted and fully incorporated into the sauce.
- Finish Cooking Chicken and Add Lemon: Return the partially cooked chicken to the skillet and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked through. Stir in the lemon juice to brighten the flavors. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top if desired.
Notes
- To ensure even cooking, cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces of similar size.
- If sun-dried tomatoes are oil-packed, drain them well before chopping.
- Adjust red pepper flakes quantity or omit to control the heat level.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to better manage the saltiness of the dish.
- Fresh spinach can be substituted with baby kale or Swiss chard if preferred.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop adding a splash of broth or cream to loosen the sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Chicken Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keywords: Marry Me Chicken Orzo, creamy chicken orzo, sun-dried tomato chicken, Mediterranean chicken recipe, one-pan chicken dinner
