Here is a simple, easy-to-follow recipe guide for One Pan Marry Me Chicken Orzo.
introduction
This dish puts tender chicken, creamy orzo, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach in one pan for a quick, tasty meal. If you like similar easy one-pan dinners, try this easy Marry Me Chicken pasta recipe for another simple option. The steps are quick and the stove does most of the work.
why make this recipe
- One pan means less mess and fast clean up.
- It cooks fast — about 30 minutes from start to finish.
- The flavors are rich: garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan.
- It makes a filling meal with protein, carbs, and greens all in one.
how to make One Pan Marry Me Chicken Orzo
Cook the chicken first to get a light brown edge. Add the sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and spices so they release flavor. Stir in the orzo and broth, cover, and let it simmer until the orzo is tender. Finish with cream (or coconut milk), spinach, and Parmesan. Stir, serve, and enjoy.
Ingredients :
- 1.5 pounds boneless (skinless chicken breast, cut into cubes)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4-5 cloves garlic (minced)
- 3/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes (drained if in oil)
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 cup orzo
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth (or water)
- 3/4 cup full-fat coconut milk or heavy cream
- 2 large handfuls fresh spinach
- 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Directions :
- Pat the chicken dry and cut it into cubes.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken and cook for 2–3 minutes until the edges start to brown.
- Add the sun-dried tomatoes, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for an additional 3–4 minutes.
- Add the orzo and broth. Stir well and reduce the heat to medium.
- Cover the skillet and let it simmer for 12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. The orzo might need a little extra time; that is okay.
- Once the orzo is cooked through, add the coconut milk or cream and spinach. Stir for another minute until the spinach wilts.
- Add the Parmesan cheese and give it a final stir.
- Remove the skillet from heat, plate up, and serve.
how to serve One Pan Marry Me Chicken Orzo
Serve hot straight from the pan. Add a sprinkle of extra Parmesan and a crack of black pepper. Pair with a simple green salad or garlic bread for a full meal.
how to store One Pan Marry Me Chicken Orzo
Cool to room temperature, then store in an airtight container. Keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce, or microwave in short intervals, stirring between each.
tips to make One Pan Marry Me Chicken Orzo
- Cut chicken into even cubes so it cooks evenly.
- Use chicken broth for more flavor; water will work in a pinch.
- Stir the orzo occasionally to stop it from sticking to the pan.
- If the dish seems dry after resting, add a little extra broth or cream when reheating.
- Taste for salt before adding Parmesan, since the cheese adds saltiness.
variation (if any)
- Swap sun-dried tomatoes for fresh cherry tomatoes for a lighter taste.
- Use shrimp instead of chicken; cook until just opaque.
- Replace spinach with kale, but cook a bit longer so it softens.
- Use half-and-half or plain Greek yogurt (stirred in off heat) instead of cream for a lighter finish.
FAQs
Q: Can I use frozen chicken?
A: Yes. Thaw it fully and pat dry before cutting and cooking. Frozen pieces may release water and change cook time.
Q: Can I make this dairy-free?
A: Yes. Use full-fat coconut milk instead of heavy cream and skip the Parmesan or use a dairy-free cheese substitute.
Q: Can I cook the orzo separately?
A: You can, but cooking it in the same pan gives more flavor. If you cook it separately, add it to the pan at the end and mix well.
Q: Will this work with a different pasta?
A: Small pastas like acini di pepe or small shells can work, but cook time may change.
Q: How can I thicken the sauce?
A: Let it simmer a minute longer with the lid off or add a small sprinkle of extra Parmesan and stir.
One Pan Marry Me Chicken Orzo
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: One-Pan Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Dairy-Free option available
Description
A quick and delicious one-pan dish featuring tender chicken, creamy orzo, and rich flavors of garlic and sun-dried tomatoes.
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into cubes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4–5 cloves garlic, minced
- 3/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained if in oil
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 cup orzo
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth (or water)
- 3/4 cup full-fat coconut milk or heavy cream
- 2 large handfuls fresh spinach
- 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Pat the chicken dry and cut it into cubes.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken and cook for 2-3 minutes until the edges start to brown.
- Add the sun-dried tomatoes, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes.
- Add the orzo and broth. Stir well and reduce the heat to medium.
- Cover the skillet and let it simmer for 12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Once the orzo is cooked through, add the coconut milk or cream and spinach. Stir for another minute until the spinach wilts.
- Add the Parmesan cheese and give it a final stir.
- Remove the skillet from heat, plate up, and serve.
Notes
For extra flavor, use chicken broth instead of water and avoid overcooking the orzo.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
