Marry Me Chicken Orzo (Easy One Pot Recipe)
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Creamy, garlicky, and made in a single skillet, this marry me chicken orzo is the 30-minute dinner you'll keep in rotation all year. Tender chicken and orzo simmer together in a sun-dried tomato parmesan sauce until every bite is coated. It tastes like a restaurant dish but cooks like a weeknight one.
Recipe Overview: Easy One-Pan Marry Me Chicken and Orzo Recipe
- ⏱ Prep Time: 10 minutes
- 👩🏻🍳 Cook Time: 20 minutes
- ⏳ Total Time: 30 minutes
- 🍞 Servings: 4
- 🍂 Flavor Profile: Tender chicken and orzo in a creamy garlic and sun dried tomato sauce, with Italian herbs, Parmesan, and optional red pepper flakes.
- 👌 Difficulty: Easy
- ⭐ Why You’ll Love It: The chicken and orzo cook together in one skillet for a creamy, complete dinner with minimal cleanup.
SUMMARIZE & SAVE THIS RECIPE ON
This marry me chicken orzo brings the creamy sun dried tomato flavors of Marry Me Chicken into a complete one pan dinner. Tender chicken and orzo simmer together with garlic and Italian herbs, then spinach, cream, and Parmesan make the sauce rich and satisfying. Since the orzo cooks right in the skillet, it absorbs the flavor as it softens, and you have fewer dishes to wash afterward. It’s ready in about 30 minutes, making it a practical weeknight dinner that still feels special enough to serve to company.
If you enjoy creamy orzo dinners, try my ground beef orzo with creamy tomato sauce, which cooks in one pan too. For another easy chicken and rice dinner, make my one pot chicken tikka masala rice. And if you’re in the mood for a creamy tomato based chicken dinner, my Indian butter chicken is another family favorite.
Jump to:
- Recipe Overview: Easy One-Pan Marry Me Chicken and Orzo Recipe
- Why You’ll Love This Marry Me Chicken Orzo
- Key Ingredients for Marry Me Chicken Orzo
- How to Make One Pot Marry Me Chicken Orzo
- How to Store and Reheat Marry Me Chicken Orzo
- Marry Me Chicken Orzo FAQs
- Other One Pan Dinner Recipes
- Marry Me Chicken Orzo
Why You’ll Love This Marry Me Chicken Orzo
🍽️ A complete meal in one pan: Chicken and orzo cook together, so there’s no separate pasta pot to wash.
⏱️ Ready in about 30 minutes: A practical weeknight dinner that still feels special enough to serve to company.
🍅 Rich, savory flavor: Sun dried tomatoes, garlic, Italian herbs, and Parmesan make the creamy sauce full of flavor.
🛒 Simple ingredients: This recipe uses familiar ingredients that are easy to find at the grocery store.
🥡 Good leftovers: Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat them for an easy lunch the next day.
Key Ingredients for Marry Me Chicken Orzo
Chicken breasts: Cut them into evenly sized pieces so they cook quickly and evenly.
Orzo: This small pasta cooks right in the skillet and absorbs the broth and sauce as it simmers.
Sun dried tomatoes: They add a tangy, savory flavor that gives this dish its familiar Marry Me Chicken taste.
Heavy cream and Parmesan: These make the sauce rich and creamy. For a dairy free version, use coconut milk and dairy free Parmesan.
Spinach: Stir it in near the end so it wilts into the sauce without overcooking.
The full ingredient list and measurements are in the recipe card below.
How to Make One Pot Marry Me Chicken Orzo
- Step 1: Sear the chicken and build the sauce. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning, then sear it in olive oil for 4 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes, chicken broth, and red pepper flakes(if using).
- Step 2: Add orzo and simmer until the orzo is tender. Add the orzo and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of broth or water if the sauce thickens too quickly.
- Step 3: Add the spinach, basil, cream and Parmesan. Stir in the spinach, cream and Parmesan. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Stir in the spinach until wilted.
- Step 4: Garnish and serve. Remove the skillet from the heat and let it rest for a couple of minutes. Top with fresh basil and extra Parmesan. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
How to Store and Reheat Marry Me Chicken Orzo
Store leftover Marry Me Chicken Orzo in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The orzo will absorb more sauce as it sits, so the leftovers may be thicker the next day.
To reheat, warm a portion gently in a skillet over low heat, stirring in a splash of chicken broth or water to loosen the sauce. You can also microwave it in short intervals, stirring between each, until heated through.
Marry Me Chicken Orzo FAQs
Yes. Boneless skinless thighs work well and stay juicy. Cut them into bite-sized pieces and cook them the same way; they may need an extra minute or two.
Yes. Swap the heavy cream for full-fat coconut milk and use a dairy-free parmesan-style cheese. The sauce stays rich and creamy.
Orzo releases a lot of starch, so it sticks if it sits still. Stir every couple of minutes while it simmers and keep it at a gentle simmer, not a hard boil.
It's not recommended. Cream-based sauces can separate when thawed, and orzo turns soft and mushy. It keeps well in the fridge for 3 to 4 days instead.
Small shapes like ditalini will work, but orzo gives the creamiest, most risotto-like result. Skip long pasta; it won't cook evenly in the sauce.
Other One Pan Dinner Recipes
Looking for more yummy dinner ideas with minimal clean-up? Try one of these:
Made this Marry Me Chicken Orzo? Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating and comment below to let me know how it turned out. Save this recipe for a night when you want a flavorful dinner made in one skillet. 🍽️💛
Marry Me Chicken Orzo
Equipment
- 1 Large skillet
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 large skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
- 6 cloves minced garlic
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes chopped
- 1½ cups dry orzo pasta
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream you can use half milk
- 2 cups spinach fresh or frozen
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup Fresh basil plus extra for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the chicken into the skillet, season it with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Sear for about 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. It doesn't need to be fully cooked through at this stage, it will finish cooking with the orzo.
- Lower the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic to the pan, stirring it around the chicken. Let that cook for about 1 minute, gently scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and the dry orzo pasta, mixing them into the chicken. Pour in the chicken broth, then sprinkle in red pepper flakes if using. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Let everything simmer together for about 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and the chicken is fully cooked through. Keep the heat on medium-low to avoid scorching the bottom of the pan, and add a splash of water or broth if the sauce thickens too quickly.
- Add the heavy cream and fresh spinach and basil and stir until the spinach has wilted. Then sprinkle in the grated parmesan cheese and stir to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Remove from heat and let rest for a couple of minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil and extra parmesan cheese. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
This dish is a favorite around here! Such an easy week night dinner!
Sooo good! Flavor is on point! Easily a family favorite!
This recipe is on repeat in my house !!! The hubby loves it and it’s SO EASY! Plus, great as leftovers!
Love how the flavors blend in this dish!