Marry Me Chicken Orzo One Pot
The Marry Me Chicken Orzo One Pot is a comforting yet elegant dinner recipe featuring tender chicken breasts simmered in a creamy, flavorful sauce with orzo pasta and sun-dried tomatoes. This one-pot meal is quick and easy to prepare in under 40 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights or stress-free entertaining. Its rich sauce, enhanced with garlic, shallots, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning, delivers delicious depth while minimizing cleanup.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 2-3 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: One-Pot Skillet
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Gluten Free (use gluten-free orzo)
Chicken and Main Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
Dairy
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon butter
Aromatics and Seasonings
- 2 shallots, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Red pepper flakes (optional, to taste)
Liquids and Fats
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cups chicken broth
- Step 1: Sear the chicken. Heat a mixture of olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Sear each side until golden brown but not fully cooked through, about 4 minutes per side. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Step 2: Sauté aromatics. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add chopped shallots and minced garlic. Sauté until fragrant and translucent, about 2 minutes, careful not to burn the garlic.
- Step 3: Add sun-dried tomatoes and orzo. Stir in chopped sun-dried tomatoes, then add the orzo pasta. Toast the orzo for about a minute so it picks up the flavors from the pan.
- Step 4: Pour in liquids and season. Add the chicken broth, heavy cream, and a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like heat. Stir well to combine and bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Step 5: Return chicken and simmer. Nestle the seared chicken breasts back into the skillet. Cover and cook over low heat for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo absorbs most of the liquid and the chicken is cooked through.
- Step 6: Finish with cheese and serve. Once cooked, sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over the skillet and stir gently until melted and creamy. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed, then serve warm.
Notes
- Don’t skip searing the chicken: It locks in juices and adds essential flavor to the sauce.
- Use low heat when simmering: Prevents burning the cream and keeps the sauce smooth.
- Choose good quality sun-dried tomatoes: Their flavor dramatically lifts the dish.
- Keep an eye on liquid levels: Add more broth if the orzo absorbs it too quickly before the chicken is done.
- Rest the chicken briefly before slicing: Ensures juicy, tender bites.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
Keywords: one pot meal, chicken orzo, marry me chicken, creamy chicken recipe, easy dinner, quick meal, comfort food, skillet dinner