Mediterranean Creamy Chicken Orzo Recipe
This Mediterranean Creamy Chicken Orzo is a delicious, comforting one-pan meal featuring tender chicken breast, creamy orzo pasta, and fresh spinach, all simmered in a flavorful garlic and tomato sauce. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, it combines the richness of cream with bright Mediterranean flavors for an easy yet impressive dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup spinach, packed
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Chicken: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces, season them with salt and pepper, and sauté until they are golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, add diced onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook an additional minute until fragrant, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
- Cook Orzo and Tomatoes: Pour in the orzo pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook according to the orzo package instructions, typically 9-11 minutes, until the orzo is al dente and liquid is mostly absorbed.
- Add Cream and Spinach: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream, dried oregano, and fresh spinach. Continue cooking for 2-3 minutes until the spinach wilts and the sauce becomes creamy and well combined.
- Combine Chicken and Finish: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir everything together. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Serve the creamy chicken orzo hot, garnished with fresh parsley and optional grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- For variations, you can add additional vegetables like sun-dried tomatoes or substitute spinach with kale.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- When reheating, add a splash of milk or chicken broth to loosen the sauce if it has thickened.
Keywords: Mediterranean chicken orzo, creamy chicken pasta, one-pan chicken recipes, easy dinner, chicken and orzo skillet
