If you’re searching for a dish that’s both delightfully creamy and packed with flavor, look no further than Marry Me Chicken Orzo. This one-skillet wonder combines tender chicken, perfectly cooked orzo, and a luscious sauce infused with sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan, and fresh greens. It’s the kind of meal that instantly feels special, whether you’re cooking for a cozy weeknight or trying to impress someone with just how delicious a home-cooked dinner can be.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What makes Marry Me Chicken Orzo so irresistible is its simple lineup of ingredients, each playing a starring role in delivering bold flavor, creamy texture, and beautiful color. Don’t skip or substitute without considering how each element shines in its own way!
- Chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are the perfect canvas for soaking up all the creamy, savory sauce.
- Salt and black pepper: Essential for seasoning the chicken and bringing out every ingredient’s natural flavor.
- Garlic powder: Adds a subtle, savory kick right in the seasoning mix.
- Olive oil: Helps create a gorgeous, golden sear on the chicken while keeping it juicy.
- Butter: Adds richness and depth to the base of the sauce.
- Fresh garlic: Three cloves give the dish a fragrant, mouthwatering aroma.
- Sun-dried tomatoes: Provide tangy, slightly sweet bursts of flavor and a pop of color.
- Italian seasoning: Brings in those classic Mediterranean herbs that make this dish sing.
- Red pepper flakes (optional): For anyone who loves a little gentle heat, this is your secret weapon.
- Orzo pasta: This rice-shaped pasta turns luxuriously creamy as it cooks right in the skillet.
- Chicken broth: Infuses the orzo with even more flavor as it simmers.
- Heavy cream: The key to that dreamy, velvety sauce you’ll want to scoop up with a spoon.
- Parmesan cheese: Adds sharp, nutty notes and melts beautifully into the sauce.
- Baby spinach: For a fresh, vibrant touch and a little extra nutrition.
- Fresh basil or parsley: A sprinkle on top makes everything feel restaurant-worthy and fresh.
How to Make Marry Me Chicken Orzo
Step 1: Season and Sear the Chicken
Start by generously seasoning your chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add the chicken and let it cook for 5 to 6 minutes per side, resisting the urge to move it so you get that crave-worthy golden crust. Once the chicken is cooked through, transfer it to a plate and keep it warm—you’ll welcome it back to the pan soon!
Step 2: Build the Flavorful Base
In the same skillet (don’t wipe it out—you want all those tasty bits), melt the butter and toss in the minced garlic. Sauté for about a minute, just until your kitchen smells absolutely irresistible. Add the sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of red pepper flakes if you’re in the mood for a little zing. Stir everything together and let those flavors mingle for a minute.
Step 3: Toast the Orzo
Pour in the uncooked orzo and give it a quick toast in the skillet, stirring frequently. This step adds a subtle, nutty flavor to your pasta and sets up the creamy texture that makes Marry Me Chicken Orzo so special. About 1 to 2 minutes is all you need.
Step 4: Simmer to Creamy Perfection
Now, pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let it cook uncovered for 8 to 10 minutes, giving it an occasional stir, until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and fresh baby spinach. Cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until the spinach has wilted and the sauce looks perfectly creamy and inviting.
Step 5: Bring It All Together
Gently nestle the cooked chicken breasts back into the skillet, spooning some of the creamy orzo over the top. Let everything heat together for another 2 minutes so the flavors meld. Just before serving, sprinkle with chopped basil or parsley for a beautiful, fresh finish. There you have it—Marry Me Chicken Orzo ready to steal the show!
How to Serve Marry Me Chicken Orzo
Garnishes
For the finishing touch, a generous sprinkle of chopped fresh basil or parsley adds color and a burst of fresh flavor. If you’re feeling fancy, shave a little extra Parmesan on top or add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a pop of color and heat. These little details make Marry Me Chicken Orzo look as good as it tastes.
Side Dishes
This creamy, savory dish is pretty much a meal in itself, but it also pairs beautifully with simple sides. A crisp green salad, garlicky roasted vegetables, or some warm, crusty bread to mop up that luscious sauce all make fantastic companions. The flavors of Marry Me Chicken Orzo play nicely with just about anything fresh and light.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to dress up your Marry Me Chicken Orzo for guests, try serving it in shallow bowls with a swirl of cream or a lemon wedge on the side. For family-style gatherings, bring the skillet right to the table and let everyone dig in—there’s something inviting about sharing a big, bubbling pan of comfort food.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Marry Me Chicken Orzo keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. The flavors deepen overnight, so you might even find it more delicious the next day. Just be sure to let everything cool to room temperature before storing.
Freezing
You can freeze portions of Marry Me Chicken Orzo, though the creamy sauce may separate slightly upon thawing. For best results, freeze in individual portions and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. Stir well after reheating to bring the sauce back together.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of chicken broth or cream to loosen the sauce if it’s become too thick. Stir frequently to ensure even heating and to restore the creamy consistency that makes Marry Me Chicken Orzo so comforting.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work beautifully in Marry Me Chicken Orzo and bring extra juiciness and flavor. You may need to adjust the cooking time slightly, as thighs can take a bit longer to cook through.
What’s the best way to make this dish vegetarian?
Swap the chicken for hearty mushrooms or your favorite plant-based protein, and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. The rest of the creamy, dreamy Marry Me Chicken Orzo components stay the same, so you won’t miss a thing!
Can I make Marry Me Chicken Orzo ahead of time?
You can! Prepare everything up to the point of adding the spinach and cream, then cool and refrigerate. When ready to serve, reheat gently, stir in the spinach and cream, and finish as directed for the freshest taste and texture.
Is orzo gluten-free?
Traditional orzo is made from wheat and contains gluten. If you need a gluten-free version of Marry Me Chicken Orzo, look for specialty brands that use gluten-free grains, or substitute with rice-shaped gluten-free pasta.
Can I make this without cream?
If you’d prefer a lighter version, you can substitute half-and-half or even whole milk for the heavy cream. The sauce will be a bit less rich, but Marry Me Chicken Orzo will still be wonderfully comforting and flavorful.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Marry Me Chicken Orzo enough—it’s the kind of recipe you’ll want to share with everyone you know. Whether it’s a busy weeknight or a special occasion, this dish delivers maximum flavor with minimum fuss. Give it a try, and don’t be surprised if it becomes a new favorite at your table!
Print
Marry Me Chicken Orzo Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Marry Me Chicken Orzo is a creamy, flavorful one-pan dish featuring tender chicken breasts cooked to perfection, served over orzo pasta in a luscious sauce made with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, spinach, Parmesan cheese, and a hint of spice. This easy-to-make stovetop meal is perfect for weeknight dinners and guarantees a comforting yet elegant dinner experience.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
Sauce & Pasta
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 cup orzo pasta, uncooked
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups baby spinach
Garnish
- Chopped fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Season and Cook Chicken: Season the chicken breasts evenly with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 5 to 6 minutes on each side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic and Sun-Dried Tomatoes: In the same skillet, melt the butter and add the minced garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes if using, to build flavor.
- Cook the Orzo: Add the uncooked orzo to the skillet and toast it for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Then, pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 8 to 10 minutes or until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
- Add Cream, Cheese, and Spinach: Stir in the heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, and baby spinach. Cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, allowing the spinach to wilt and the sauce to become creamy and well combined.
- Combine and Heat Through: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, nesting them on top of the creamy orzo mixture. Let everything heat together for about 2 minutes to meld flavors.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh basil or parsley over the top before serving to add a fresh, aromatic finish.
Notes
- For extra flavor, sear the chicken in the olive oil used for soaking the sun-dried tomatoes.
- You can substitute boneless chicken thighs for the breasts for a juicier result.
- This dish reheats well; add a splash of chicken broth or cream when warming leftovers to maintain creaminess.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with orzo
- Calories: 560
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
