Description
A comforting and creamy one-pot meal featuring tender chicken, perfectly cooked orzo pasta, and fresh spinach all simmered together in a luscious cream sauce. This quick and easy recipe is ideal for busy weeknights and serves up delicious flavor with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Vegetables
- 1 pound chicken breast, diced
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup spinach, chopped
Pasta and Liquids
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
Others
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Heat the oil: In a large pot, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat to prepare for sautéing the chicken and vegetables.
- Cook the chicken: Add the diced chicken breast to the pot and cook until browned on all sides, ensuring it is mostly cooked through before adding other ingredients.
- Sauté aromatics: Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the pot with the chicken. Sauté until the onion becomes translucent and the garlic is fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add orzo and broth: Stir in 1 cup of orzo pasta followed by 4 cups of chicken broth. Mix everything together to combine well.
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes, allowing the orzo to absorb the broth and partially cook.
- Add cream and spinach: Stir in 1 cup of heavy cream and 1 cup of chopped spinach. Mix thoroughly to create a creamy texture and incorporate the greens.
- Finish cooking: Continue cooking for an additional 5 minutes until the orzo is tender and the sauce is creamy and slightly thickened.
- Season: Season the dish with salt and pepper to your taste, adjusting as needed to balance the flavors.
- Serve: Plate the creamy orzo chicken and top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese for an added layer of savory richness.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, though the sauce will be less thick.
- Use fresh spinach to add vibrant color and nutrition, but baby kale or arugula can be good alternatives.
- If you prefer a dairy-free option, omit the heavy cream and Parmesan or use dairy-free substitutes.
- Make sure to stir occasionally during simmering to prevent the orzo from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- This recipe can be doubled easily to feed a larger group or for meal prepping.
