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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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Find it online: https://foodbylina.com/marry-me-chicken-orzo-recipe/