Quick Creamy Garlic Chicken Orzo
A quick and easy one-pot meal featuring tender chicken, creamy garlic sauce, and perfectly cooked orzo, ready in just 25 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights and comforting dinners.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup dry orzo pasta (about 6 ounces)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth (low-sodium recommended)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Dice chicken breasts into bite-sized cubes. Mince garlic cloves. Grate Parmesan cheese and chop parsley for garnish.
- Heat olive oil and butter in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat until butter melts and foams.
- Add chicken cubes in a single layer, season lightly with salt and pepper, and brown for 4-5 minutes until golden but not fully cooked. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Lower heat to medium and sauté minced garlic in the same pan for 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Add dry orzo to the pan and stir to coat with garlic and butter mixture.
- Pour in chicken broth, stir once, and bring to a gentle boil.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until orzo is tender and most broth is absorbed.
- Return browned chicken to the pan, pour in heavy cream, and stir gently.
- Cover and cook on low for another 5 minutes until chicken is cooked through (internal temperature 165°F) and sauce is creamy and thickened.
- Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and combined. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately while warm and creamy.
Notes
If the sauce is too thick, stir in a splash more broth or cream to loosen before serving. If too thin, simmer uncovered for a minute or two to thicken. Browning the chicken adds flavor and texture. Avoid burning garlic to prevent bitterness. Stir orzo occasionally to prevent sticking. Fresh Parmesan melts better than pre-grated. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days; reheat gently with added liquid. Freezing is not recommended due to sauce separation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approxima
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 700
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 9
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 38
Keywords: quick dinner, creamy garlic chicken, orzo recipe, one-pot meal, easy chicken dinner, weeknight meal, comfort food