Marry Me Chicken Orzo
The ultimate comfort food, Marry Me Chicken Orzo combines tender chicken, creamy sauce, and perfectly cooked orzo. This easy weeknight dinner is rich, flavorful, and guaranteed to impress anyone around your table. Make it tonight for an unforgettable meal!
Equipment
- Large deep skillet or sauté pan
- Wooden Spoon or spatula
- Cutting board and knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breasts diced into bite-size pieces
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter divided
- 1 teaspoon tomato paste
- ½ cup sundried tomatoes chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 ½ cups orzo uncooked (regular or whole wheat)
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 ½ cups chicken stock
- 1 cup heavy cream (double cream in the UK)
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil leaves chopped
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large deep skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken, season with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika, and cook for 2-3 minutes until lightly browned. Remove the chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter to the skillet. Stir in the tomato paste, sundried tomatoes, and garlic, and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the orzo, crushed red pepper flakes, oregano, and thyme, and cook for another 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
- Pour in the chicken stock and cream, then return the chicken to the pan. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring every 1-2 minutes so the orzo does not stick to the pan.
- When the orzo is tender, remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the Parmesan until melted. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Garnish with fresh basil before serving.
Notes
- Tip 1: Stir frequently during cooking to prevent the orzo from sticking.
- Tip 2: Taste the orzo at the end to ensure it’s fully cooked before removing from heat.
- Tip 3: For a lighter version, replace half of the cream with milk, or use half and half.
- Tip 4: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
- Tip 5: Orzo doesn’t generally freeze well.