Marry Me Chicken Orzo

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Marry Me Chicken Orzo is a one-pan dinner of chicken simmered in a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce with garlic, herbs, and fluffy orzo pasta.

Prep Time5

Cook Time20

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Calories: 1187kcal

Skillet cast iron skillet, or heavy-bottomed pan, pot, or braising pan (with high sides)
Wooden spoon or spatula
Measuring cups and spoons
Cutting board
Sharp knife for chopping chicken and vegetables

1 ½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts about 2 chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 cups orzo pasta
2 cups chicken broth use plain water with two stock cubes instead
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp butter unsalted
½ tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp dried thyme
¾ cup sun dried tomatoes
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup spinach packed and chopped
5-6 basil leaves torn
¼ cup Parmesan cheese grated

Cube the chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces and season with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and dried thyme.
½ tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp black pepper, ½ tsp dried thyme
In a heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat, add olive oil and allow it to warm up.
2 tbsp olive oil
Once the oil is hot, add the seasoned chicken to the pan and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned and cooked through.
1 ½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
Pour in the chicken broth, and use a wooden spoon or spatula to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, adding depth to the sauce.
2 cups chicken broth
Add the tomato paste, sun-dried tomatoes, orzo pasta, heavy cream, spinach, basil, and grated Parmesan to the pan, stirring everything together until the spinach begins to wilt (about 1-2 minutes).
2 cups orzo pasta, ¾ cup sun dried tomatoes, 1 cup heavy cream, 1 cup spinach, 5-6 basil leaves, ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, 1 tbsp tomato paste
Add 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter, allowing it to melt and blend into the mixture, enriching the sauce’s creaminess.
2 tbsp butter
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, cover the pan with a lid, and reduce the heat to medium-low. Let it cook for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the orzo from sticking.
When the pasta is tender and the sauce has thickened, garnish with extra basil and Parmesan, if desired. Serve hot!

Feel free to substitute the seasonings with a tablespoon of Italian seasoning blend instead.

Slow Cooker Instructions:

To make Marry Me Chicken Orzo in a slow cooker, start by seasoning the cubed chicken with salt and black pepper.
In the slow cooker, combine the seasoned chicken, chicken broth, sun-dried tomatoes, orzo pasta, heavy cream, spinach, and basil. Stir well to ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed.
Cover and cook on high for 2–3 hours or on low for 5–6 hours, until the chicken is tender and the orzo is fully cooked.
Once done, stir in 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter and grated Parmesan, allowing them to melt into the creamy mixture and add a rich finish to the sauce.
Before serving, garnish with extra basil and Parmesan, if desired.