Description
Marry Me Chicken Orzo is a creamy one pot chicken dinner with tender orzo, sun dried tomatoes, spinach, Parmesan, and a rich tomato cream sauce. It is cozy, savory, and ready in 1hr, making it a great skillet meal for busy nights or an easy dinner that still feels special.
Ingredients
Sauce
- 1 ¼ cups half and half
- 2 ½ cups chicken broth
- ½ chicken bouillon cube
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ¾ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¾ teaspoon dried basil
- ¾ teaspoon dried parsley
- ¾ teaspoon onion powder
Chicken/Pasta
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- ½ cup dry white wine
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- ⅓ cup sun dried tomatoes, oil reserved
- 1 cup uncooked orzo
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- ¼ cup cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups packed baby spinach, roughly chopped
Instructions
- Mix the sauce: Combine the half and half, chicken broth, bouillon, honey, hot sauce, Dijon, oregano, basil, parsley, and onion powder in a large measuring cup. Set aside while you prepare the chicken.
- Prepare the chicken: Slice the chicken breasts in half lengthwise to make thinner pieces, then tenderize evenly. Pat dry and season all over with salt and pepper.
- Sear the chicken: Heat 1 to 2 tablespoons of reserved sun dried tomato oil in a wide skillet over medium high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5 to 7 mins, turning as needed, until golden and cooked through, then transfer to a plate.
- Build the base: Add the white wine to the skillet and reduce the heat to medium. Scrape up the browned bits and let the wine reduce by half, about 3 to 4 mins, then stir in the butter and garlic for 1 min. Add the tomato paste and stir for 2 mins until it darkens slightly.
- Cook the orzo: Add the sauce mixture in small splashes, stirring until smooth. Stir in the sun dried tomatoes, bring to a gentle boil, then add the orzo. Cook uncovered according to package directions, about 9 mins, stirring often and scraping the bottom so it does not stick.
- Finish creamy: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the cream cheese until melted. Gradually stir in the Parmesan, then fold in the spinach until wilted. Return the chicken and any juices to the skillet and warm through before serving.
Notes
- Use chicken broth instead of dry white wine if preferred.
- Freshly grated Parmesan melts more smoothly than packaged shredded cheese.
- Keep the orzo at a gentle boil and stir often so it cooks evenly without sticking.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheat gently with a splash of chicken broth, half and half, or milk because the orzo thickens as it sits.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 40 mins
- Category: Marry Me chicken orzo
- Cuisine: Italian American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 486 kcal
Keywords: 486 kcal