This easy, creamy one pot chicken and orzo is a family-friendly dinner that is made with minimal cleanup and is ready to serve in under 1 hour!

Creamy chicken and orzo cooked in one pan with spinach, garlic, and Parmesan cheese.

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Creamy Chicken and Orzo

This comforting one pot chicken and orzo is creamy, hearty, and easy to make during busy weeknights, and just as great when you’ve got guests coming over.

It’s creamier than one-pot chicken and rice, less brothier than creamy chicken and noodle, and a bit cozier than the one-pot lemon chicken and orzo. It’s made with seasoned chunks of chicken and creamy orzo pasta that soaks up all the delicious flavors as it simmers!

Why I Love This Recipe

  • Simple comfort food made in one pot for minimal cleanup.
  • No need to drain the orzo, so it soaks up tons of flavor from the cooking liquid!

Ingredients Notes

Ingredients for chicken and orzo including cubed chicken, uncooked orzo, spinach, chicken broth, cream, garlic, olive oil, and seasonings.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Chicken breast, olive oil, and butter: Cut boneless skinless chicken breast into cubes.
  • Seasoning: Minced garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
  • Orzo pasta: These look like rice grains, but they’re in the pasta section!
  • Chicken broth and heavy cream: For a rich, creamy sauce.
  • Baby spinach: I like to add greens in towards the end for added flavor, nutrients, and a pop of color.
  • For serving: Fresh herbs like parsley or basil, freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

How to Make Chicken and Orzo

In a large cast-iron skillet, melt butter and olive oil (using both provides extra flavor and can help prevent burning). Pat the chicken cubes dry with paper towels and then cook for 3-4 minutes before flipping.

Coat chicken with seasoning and cook for a few more minutes.

Cubed chicken cooking in a skillet with butter, olive oil, garlic, and Italian seasoning.

Pour in the orzo and broth and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat and allow that to come to a simmer.

Cover with the lid and cook for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add 1/4 cup extra water or broth if it’s looking a bit dry.

Chicken and orzo simmering in chicken broth with seasonings in a large skillet.

Stir in the heavy cream and fresh spinach.

Grate fresh Parmesan on top, season to taste, and serve garnished with fresh herbs. Enjoy!

Heavy cream and fresh spinach added to chicken and orzo to create a creamy sauce.

Recipe Tips

  • Instead of chicken orzo with spinach swap it for frozen broccoli florets.
  • Don’t skip browning the chicken. It’s what gives it extra flavor and color.
  • It’s not required, but warming up the broth can help speed up the cooking process.
  • Don’t walk away! You need to stir the creamy orzo chicken occasionally so it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan.
  • Adjust the consistency as needed. Add a splash of water or broth if it’s too thick.
  • Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to brighten it up at the end!
Close-up of creamy chicken and orzo topped with grated Parmesan and fresh herbs.

More one pot recipes include One pot zuppa toscana, one pot burrito bowl and chicken with apples.

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Creamy chicken and orzo cooked in one pan with spinach, garlic, and Parmesan cheese.

One Pot Chicken and Orzo

5 from 4 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 6
This easy, creamy one pot chicken and orzo is a family-friendly dinner that is made with minimal cleanup and is ready to serve in under 1 hour!
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Ingredients 

  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 Tablespoons butter
  • 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breast , cut into cubes
  • 4 cloves garlic , minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
  • 3 cups chicken broth , or water
  • ⅓ cup heavy cream , at room temp
  • 1 cup baby spinach , optional

For topping: grated parmesan cheese, chopped parsley or basil

Instructions

  • Cook chicken: In a large cast iron skillet, melt 2 Tablespoons butter together with 1 Tablespoon olive oil. Pat chicken dry and then add into the skillet. Cook 3-4 minutes, then flip. Add in minced garlic, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Cook 3 more minutes.
  • Cook orzo: Add in the 1 cup orzo and 3 cups broth. Bring to a boil, reduce to simmer and cover with a lid. Cook for 13-17 minutes or until cooked through, stirring occasionally. Remove lid and cook another minute to thicken. If the orzo looks dry, you can add in a little more broth or water.
  • Add cream and spinach: Add 1/3 cup heavy cream and 1 cup of spinach. Sprinkle grated parmesan over top. Season to taste and serve.

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 323kcal, Carbohydrates: 21g, Protein: 29g, Fat: 13g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 96mg, Sodium: 958mg, Potassium: 555mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 938IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 39mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Recipe FAQs

How to store leftover chicken orzo pasta?

Once cooled, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Can I freeze it?

If you don’t mind a slight change in texture once it thaws (it will become a bit mushy), you can freeze it for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.

How to reheat chicken orzo?

You can reheat it either in the microwave or on the stove over gentle heat. You’ll most likely need to add a splash of broth or cream to loosen it up.