Description
Creamy Parmesan Chicken and Orzo combines juicy chicken breasts with rich, velvety orzo pasta cooked in a creamy Parmesan sauce. The perfect balance of flavors from Italian seasoning, garlic, and fresh parsley makes this dish a comforting weeknight meal. Pair with a side of veggies or a simple salad for a complete dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Orzo:
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Season the chicken breasts with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Once the oil is hot, add the chicken breasts to the skillet and cook for about 6-7 minutes on each side, or until fully cooked and browned. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare the Orzo:
- In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté for 2-3 minutes, until softened.
- Stir in the orzo pasta and cook for 1-2 minutes to lightly toast.
- Add the chicken broth, heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook for about 10-12 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and the liquid has been absorbed.
- Combine and Serve:
- Slice the cooked chicken breasts into strips.
- Stir fresh parsley into the orzo, then serve the chicken on top of the creamy orzo.
- Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and parsley if desired, and serve hot.
Notes
- You can substitute the chicken breasts with boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a juicier alternative.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, reduce the amount of chicken broth and increase the Parmesan cheese.
- For added flavor, you can sprinkle some red pepper flakes or a squeeze of lemon juice before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Italian