Description
This Creamy Parmesan Chicken and Orzo is a delightful one-pan dish that combines tender chicken, creamy Parmesan sauce, and spinach with perfectly cooked orzo pasta. It’s a comforting and quick meal ideal for weeknight dinners, featuring a rich blend of flavors with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Pasta
- 1 lb chicken breasts, diced
- 1 cup orzo pasta
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups fresh spinach
Liquids and Dairy
- 2 cups chicken broth (low-sodium preferred)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Oils and Seasoning
- 2 tbsp olive oil (for sautéing)
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Heat the oil: In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat to prepare for cooking the chicken.
- Cook the chicken: Add the diced chicken breasts to the skillet and cook until golden brown and fully cooked, about 7-10 minutes, ensuring pieces are evenly browned.
- Sauté garlic: Stir in the minced garlic cloves and cook for an additional minute until fragrant, taking care not to burn the garlic.
- Add broth and simmer: Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, allowing flavors to meld and prepare for cooking the orzo.
- Cook orzo: Stir in the orzo pasta and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring frequently to avoid sticking, until the pasta is tender and has absorbed some of the broth.
- Add cream and cheese: Whisk in the heavy cream, then combine with the grated Parmesan cheese to create a rich, creamy sauce.
- Incorporate spinach: Fold in the fresh spinach and allow it to wilt gently into the creamy mixture.
- Season to taste: Add salt and pepper according to your preference and give everything a final stir to blend the flavors perfectly.
Notes
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to control the saltiness of the dish.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Fresh spinach can be replaced with baby kale or Swiss chard if preferred.
- Ensure frequent stirring when cooking the orzo to prevent it from sticking to the pan.
- Grated Parmesan should be added off the heat if possible to prevent clumping and to maintain creaminess.
