Marry Me Chicken Orzo Recipe

Introduction

Marry Me Chicken Orzo is a creamy, flavorful dish that combines tender chicken with a rich sun-dried tomato sauce and cheesy orzo. It’s a comforting meal perfect for weeknights or special occasions when you want something impressive yet easy to prepare.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes, chopped
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup orzo
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Step 2: Season chicken with kosher salt and ground black pepper.
3. Step 3: Add chicken to the skillet and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. Remove chicken and set aside.
4. Step 4: Reduce heat to medium and add minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
5. Step 5: Stir in sun dried tomatoes and cook for 1 minute.
6. Step 6: Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, then bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
7. Step 7: Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth.
8. Step 8: Add orzo to the sauce, cover, and cook until the orzo is al dente, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
9. Step 9: Stir in butter and return the cooked chicken to the skillet, simmering for 2 more minutes.
10. Step 10: Remove from heat and sprinkle chopped fresh basil over the top before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for extra juiciness and flavor.
• Add a handful of spinach or kale in step 8 for extra greens.
• Swap heavy cream for half-and-half for a lighter sauce.
• For less heat, reduce or omit the red pepper flakes.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth or cream if the sauce thickens too much.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this dish gluten-free?

Yes, substitute the orzo with a gluten-free pasta or rice to keep the dish gluten-free.

Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

You can cook the chicken and sauce ahead, but it’s best to cook the orzo fresh to maintain its texture. Reheat the sauce and chicken, then stir in cooked orzo before serving.

Marry Me Chicken Orzo Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 131 reviews

Marry Me Chicken Orzo is a creamy, flavorful one-pan dish featuring tender chicken breast pieces simmered in a rich sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, and buttery orzo pasta. This recipe combines the heartiness of chicken with the comforting texture of orzo in a fragrant basil-infused sauce, perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.

• Author: lina
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

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Chicken and Seasoning

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Sauce

• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes, chopped
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Orzo and Finish

• 1 cup orzo
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped

Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil: Warm 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat to prepare for cooking the chicken.
2. Season the chicken: Sprinkle 1 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper over 1 pound of bite-sized chicken breast pieces.
3. Cook the chicken: Place the seasoned chicken in the heated skillet and cook for about 5 minutes per side until golden brown and thoroughly cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
4. Sauté garlic and red pepper flakes: Lower the heat to medium and add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes to the skillet. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
5. Add sun-dried tomatoes: Stir in 1/2 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 1 minute to release their flavors.
6. Simmer the sauce: Pour in 1 cup chicken broth and 1 cup heavy cream, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer.
7. Add Parmesan cheese: Stir 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese into the sauce until it melts and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
8. Cook the orzo: Add 1 cup orzo to the sauce, cover the skillet, and cook for about 10 minutes until the orzo is al dente, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
9. Finish the dish: Stir in 2 tablespoons butter to enrich the sauce, then add the cooked chicken back to the skillet. Simmer for an additional 2 minutes to meld the flavors.
10. Garnish and serve: Remove the skillet from heat, sprinkle 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh basil over the top, and serve warm.

Notes

• Use chicken thighs as an alternative for a juicier texture.
• For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a dairy-free cream alternative.
• Sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil will enhance flavor; if using dry-packed, rehydrate them in warm water first.
• Stir the orzo gently and regularly to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the skillet.
• Fresh basil can be substituted with dried basil, but add it earlier during sauce simmering to release flavor.

Keywords: Marry Me Chicken, Orzo, Creamy Chicken Pasta, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, One-Pan Meal, Italian Chicken Recipe