Description
Marry Me Chicken Orzo is a comforting one-pan dish featuring tender chicken pieces cooked with orzo pasta in a creamy, flavorful sun-dried tomato sauce. This easy recipe combines savory spices, garlic, and Italian seasonings with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil for a rich, delicious meal that's perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Chicken
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Flavorings and Sauce
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
- 1 cup dry orzo pasta
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup half-and-half, more if needed
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
- Season and Cook Chicken: Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fully cooked and no longer pink inside.
- Add Aromatics and Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Stir in minced garlic, paprika, Italian seasoning, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Cook for 2 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Cook Orzo in Broth: Add dry orzo pasta and chicken broth to the skillet. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat to a simmer. Cover with a lid and cook for 10-12 minutes until the orzo is tender and has absorbed most of the broth.
- Incorporate Half-and-Half: Pour in the half-and-half and stir well to combine. The orzo will absorb this creamy liquid quickly. Add a little more half-and-half if needed for desired creaminess.
- Add Cheese and Basil: Stir in grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil until the cheese melts and the basil wilts. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if necessary. Serve hot immediately.
Notes
- Use whole milk instead of half-and-half for a lighter version, but the sauce may be less creamy.
- If sun-dried tomatoes are oil-packed, drain excess oil before chopping to avoid greasiness.
- You can substitute orzo with small pasta like acini di pepe if desired.
- Fresh basil adds brightness, but dried basil can be used in a pinch (use 1 teaspoon dried).
- Make sure to cook the orzo fully to avoid any hard texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 770 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 37 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg
