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Creamy Chicken and Orzo Skillet Recipe

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4.3 from 13 reviews

This Creamy Chicken and Orzo Skillet is a comforting one-pan meal combining tender, seasoned chicken thighs with a creamy, flavorful orzo pasta. Cooked in a skillet, the dish features a blend of aromatic herbs and spices, sautéed onions and garlic, and a rich sauce made with heavy cream, butter, and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, this recipe serves four and comes together in just 45 minutes.

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Seasoning Blend

  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper

Chicken and Base

  • 1.25 lbs boneless chicken thighs (4-5 thighs)
  • 2 Tbsp cooking oil
  • 1 yellow onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

Orzo and Cream Sauce

  • 1 1/2 cups orzo
  • 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 2 Tbsp salted butter
  • 1/4 cup parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Mix the seasoning blend: In a small bowl, combine paprika, dried oregano, dried thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well until evenly mixed.
  2. Season the chicken: Pat the boneless chicken thighs dry with a paper towel to remove moisture. Then, liberally season both sides with the prepared seasoning blend for full flavor.
  3. Brown the chicken: Heat a large deep skillet over medium heat and add the cooking oil. Place the seasoned chicken thighs in the skillet without moving them. Cook until well browned on one side, about 5 minutes. Flip and brown the other side. Once browned, remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  4. Sauté onion and garlic: Reduce the heat to low. Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the same skillet and sauté until the onions become translucent and fragrant, about 3 minutes.
  5. Add orzo and broth: Stir the orzo into the skillet along with the vegetable broth. Scrape the bottom of the pan to dissolve the browned bits, which adds rich flavor. Nestle the browned chicken thighs back into the orzo mixture evenly.
  6. Simmer the orzo and chicken: Cover the skillet with a lid. Increase heat to medium-high to bring the broth to a full boil, then reduce heat to low. Let it simmer gently for about 15 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and most of the broth is absorbed.
  7. Remove the chicken: After the orzo is cooked, remove the chicken thighs from the skillet and set aside temporarily.
  8. Make the creamy sauce: To the skillet with the orzo, add the heavy cream and butter. Stir continuously over low heat until the butter melts and the sauce is hot and creamy.
  9. Add the Parmesan: Stir the grated Parmesan cheese into the creamy sauce until fully combined and melted, enhancing the richness and flavor of the dish.
  10. Return chicken and serve: Place the chicken thighs back into the skillet, nestling them into the creamy orzo. Optionally, garnish with fresh parsley before serving for a pop of color and freshness.

Notes

  • Blotting the chicken dry before seasoning helps achieve a better sear and browning.
  • If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can reduce the broth slightly before adding cream.
  • Vegetable broth can be substituted with chicken broth for even more savory flavor.
  • Feel free to garnish with freshly chopped parsley or basil for a fresh touch.
  • Orzo can be swapped with other small pasta shapes like acini di pepe or couscous if desired.
  • Author: Maya
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://recipeteach.com/creamy-chicken-and-orzo-skillet-recipe/