Go Back

Marry Me Chicken Orzo

A delightful dish that combines tender chicken, creamy sauce, and orzo pasta, perfect for a cozy dinner or to impress your loved ones.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 600
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken and Seasoning
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
Pasta and Sauce
  • 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ⅓ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 tsp dried thyme or Italian seasoning
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil (optional, for garnish)

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Pat chicken breasts dry and season both sides with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, sauté garlic until fragrant.
Cooking
  1. Add orzo and stir for 1 minute.
  2. Pour in chicken broth, stirring to scrape up any browned bits. Simmer for 5 minutes.
  3. Stir in heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and thyme. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
  4. Return chicken to the skillet, nestling it into the orzo. Cover and cook for another 10 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the orzo is tender.
  5. Garnish with fresh basil and serve hot.

Notes

Make sure to season the chicken well to enhance the flavor. Don’t skip the steps for browning the chicken and sautéing the garlic; these add great depth of flavor. Adjust the cream and cheese quantity to your preference for richness, and feel free to add more vegetables like spinach or bell peppers!