Description
Marry Me Chicken Orzo is a creamy, comforting one-pan meal featuring tender chicken pieces cooked with orzo pasta in a flavorful sun-dried tomato sauce, enriched with parmesan cheese and fresh basil. This quick and easy recipe perfectly blends Italian-inspired flavors for a satisfying dinner that serves 4.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
Pasta and Sauce
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
- 1 cup dry orzo pasta
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup half-and-half, more if needed
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
- Season and Cook Chicken: Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 6-8 minutes until fully cooked and no longer pink inside.
- Add Aromatics and Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Stir in minced garlic, paprika, dried Italian seasoning, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Cook for 2 minutes to allow flavors to infuse.
- Add Orzo and Broth: Stir in dry orzo pasta and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover the skillet with a lid and cook for 10-12 minutes until the orzo is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
- Incorporate Half-and-Half: Pour in the half-and-half and stir well. The orzo will absorb this creamy liquid quickly; add more half-and-half if necessary to reach desired creaminess.
- Add Cheese and Basil: Mix in grated parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil until the cheese melts and basil wilts. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve Immediately: Serve the creamy marry me chicken orzo hot for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- For a dairy-free option, substitute half-and-half and parmesan with coconut cream and a dairy-free cheese alternative.
- If sun-dried tomatoes are packed in oil, drain well before chopping to avoid excess oiliness.
- To ensure even cooking, stir occasionally during the orzo simmering phase to prevent sticking.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop with a splash of broth or cream.
- Fresh basil can be substituted with fresh parsley or oregano for a different herb flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
