Description
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo is a rich, comforting one-skillet meal made with juicy seared chicken breasts, tender orzo pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and a creamy Parmesan sauce. This satisfying dish comes together in under 40 minutes and is perfect for a cozy family dinner or an elegant date-night meal.
Ingredients
- For the Chicken:
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or 4 small)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- For the Orzo and Sauce:
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon butter
Instructions
1. Pat the chicken dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for 5–6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F/75°C). Remove and set aside.
3. In the same pan, reduce heat to medium and add butter. Sauté minced garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
4. Stir in the orzo and cook for 1–2 minutes until lightly golden.
5. Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer.
6. Cover and let cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
7. Pour in heavy cream and stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy.
8. Add chopped spinach and stir until wilted.
9. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and spoon sauce over the top. Simmer for 2 minutes.
10. Sprinkle with extra Parmesan and serve warm.
Notes
Use high-quality Parmesan for the best flavor and creaminess.
Deglaze the pan after searing the chicken to lift flavorful bits from the bottom.
For extra richness, add crispy bacon or a spoonful of basil pesto.
To adjust the sauce consistency, add more chicken broth as needed.
This dish reheats well—store in an airtight container and add a splash of broth when reheating.
A squeeze of lemon juice at the end can brighten the creamy sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 575
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 520
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 13
- Unsaturated Fat: 13
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 40
- Cholesterol: 125