Foods

Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Orzo

- by Admin

Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Orzo is a simple one-pot meal with tons of flavor. With tender bites of chicken and orzo pasta, broccoli, and a lusciously creamy homemade cheese sauce, and comes together in under 30 minutes.

Chicken orzo casserole is the perfect one-pan meal that the whole family will love. This is perfect comfort food for busy weeknights served with a side of my Ciabatta Garlic Bread!

Why this recipe works

Chicken broccoli orzo is one of my go-to recipes when I need something fast for a quick weeknight dinner. This has similar flavors to Broccoli Cheddar Soup and my Chicken and Broccoli Rice Casserole.

What is orzo pasta?

Orzo is a thin oval shaped pasta that looks like grains of rice. Typically used in soups like my Orzo Cheickn soup but perfect for quick and easy meals like my Orzo and Roasted Asparagus, Roasted Chicken with Rice Pilaf.

Ingredients needed

All the ingredients needed for this chicken orzo.
  • Chicken: Chicken breasts, chicken tenders, or even chicken thighs.
  • Broccoli: Fresh broccoli is recommended.
  • Onion: White or yellow onion.
  • Garlic: Fresh-mined garlic always has the best flavor.
  • Pasta: Orzo pasta is a rice-shaped pasta, found in the dried pasta section of your grocery store.
  • Italian Seasoning:
  • Chicken stock: Low-sodium chicken stock or chicken broth.
  • Half n Half: You can use heavy cream instead if you prefer.
  • Cheese: Freshly grated Sharp cheddar cheese or medium cheddar and parmesan cheese is used.

How to make this chicken broccoli orzo recipe

Diced onions cooked into the skillet then the broccoli florets added in.
  • Step 1: Heat a 12-inch large skillet on medium heat add the olive oil and onions and saute.
  • Step 2: Add in the broccoli florets and garlic.
Chicken pieces added into the skillet with broccoli.
  • Step 3: Move the broccoli to the side and add in the diced chicken, season with salt, pepper and Italian seasoning.
  • Step 4: Cook until opaque on all sides.
Uncooked pasta poured into the skillet and stirred.
  • Step 5: Add in the uncooked orzo.
  • Step 6: Stir, slightly toasting the pasta.
Chicken stock added in the skillet.
  • Step 7: Add in the chicken broth
  • Step 8: Simmer until most of the liquid is absorbed.
Half n half added to the pasta skillet then shredded cheese added in.
  • Step 9: Stir in the half n half.
  • Step 10: Fold in the cheddar cheese, and parmesan cheese until fully melted.

Recipe Tips

  • This pasta is best served immediately when the cheesy sauce is still hot and creamy. As it cools, the sauce will thicken and the orzo will stick together and not be as creamy.
  • Always use freshly shredded cheese when making a cheesy sauce. Pre-shredded cheese is coated in an anti-caking agent that prevents it from melting properly.
  • The chicken does not need to be fully cooked in the searing process it will finish cooking as it simmers.
  • For a quick shortcut use a rotisserie chicken or leftover chicken from my Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Chicken.

A fork picking up a bite of chicken orzo.

Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Orzo

Cheesy chicken broccoli orzo is a simple one pot meal with tons of flavor. With tender bites of chicken and orzo pasta, lots of healthy broccoli florets, and a lusciously creamy homemade cheese sauce, and comes together in under 30 minutes.
Prep Time5minutes 
Cook Time20minutes 
Servings6 servings
Calories613

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 onion diced
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 3 cups broccoli florets
  • 1 pound chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 pound orzo pasta, dried
  • 3 1/2 cups low sodium chicken stock
  • 1 1/4 cup half and half
  • 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

  • Heat a large 12 inch skillet on medium-high heat and add olive oil. Add the diced onion and saute for 2-3 minutes until soft. Add the garlic and cook just until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  • Add in the broccoli florets and saute for another 1-2 minutes.
  • Push the broccoli to the side and add the chicken, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning, and saute just until opaque (it doesn’t have to be cooked all the way through)
  • Add the orzo pasta to the skillet and stir until well combined. Toast the orzo for 1-2 minutes.
  • Add the chicken broth to the pan and simmer uncovered for 10-12 minutes until most of the liquid is absorbed.
  • Reduce the heat to medium and add the half and half into the orzo and stir simmer 2-3 minutes.
  • Turn the heat off and add in the cheddar and parmesan cheese stir until melted add more salt and pepper to taste.

Notes

Chicken breasts, chicken tenders, or even chicken thighs can be used for this recipe.

Always use freshly shredded cheese when making a cheesy sauce. Pre-shredded cheese is coated in an anti-caking agent that prevents it from melting properly.

For a quick shortcut use a rotisserie chicken or leftover chicken from my Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Chicken.

If you prefer broccoli with more of a bite add the broccoli florets with the chicken stock to simmer for 10-12 minutes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 613kcalCarbohydrates: 65gProtein: 38gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 89mgSodium: 638mgPotassium: 800mgFiber: 4gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 716IUVitamin C: 42mgCalcium: 302mgIron: 2mg
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