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Creamy Garlic Parmesan Orzo with Chicken

A close-up of creamy garlic parmesan orzo with chicken pieces, topped with shredded cheese and parsley.
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Make this rich, one-pan orzo pasta dish featuring tender chicken in a thick, savory sauce flavored strongly with garlic and Parmesan cheese. This recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 teaspoon salt, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, divided
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon butter

Instructions

  1. Season the chicken pieces with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  3. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic to the same skillet and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Do not let the garlic burn.
  4. Add the orzo pasta to the skillet and toast for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
  5. Pour in the chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  6. Stir in the heavy cream, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook for 2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
  7. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, butter, and cooked chicken until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy.
  8. Stir in the fresh parsley. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan cheese on top.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, but the sauce may be slightly thinner.
  • You can substitute pre-cooked rotisserie chicken for the raw chicken to save cooking time. Add it during the last step with the cream.
  • Pair this dish with a simple side salad or steamed green beans for a complete meal.

Nutrition

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