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Marry Me Chicken Orzo (One Pot!) Recipe

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4.4 from 4 reviews

  • Author: Sara
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 6 servings

Description

Marry Me Chicken Orzo is a creamy, flavorful one-pot dish featuring tender seared chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and a luscious sauce infused with herbs, garlic, and cheeses. This comforting recipe combines perfectly cooked orzo pasta with spinach and a rich blend of cream cheese, parmesan, and chicken broth, making it a satisfying meal that’s easy to prepare in about an hour.

Ingredients

Sauce Ingredients

  • 1 ¼ cup half and half
  • 2 ½ cups chicken broth
  • ½ chicken bouillon cube
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce (Frank’s recommended)
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • ¾ teaspoons dried oregano
  • ¾ teaspoons dried basil
  • ¾ teaspoons dried parsley
  • ¾ teaspoons onion powder

Chicken and Main Ingredients

  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • ½ cup dry white wine
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes (oil reserved)
  • 1 cup dry orzo
  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • ¼ cup cream cheese, softened
  • 2 cups packed baby spinach, roughly chopped

Instructions

  1. Prepare the sauce mixture: In a large measuring cup with a spout, combine half and half, chicken broth, chicken bouillon cube, honey, hot sauce, Dijon mustard, dried oregano, basil, parsley, and onion powder. Set this sauce mixture aside. Pat the sun-dried tomatoes dry, then roughly chop them. Measure and prepare all remaining ingredients before starting to cook.
  2. Tenderize and season the chicken: Slice the chicken breasts in half lengthwise to make thinner cutlets. Cover with plastic wrap and gently pound with a meat mallet until even thickness. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and cut into pieces of your preferred size. Season generously with salt and pepper.
  3. Sear the chicken: Heat 1 to 2 tablespoons of the reserved oil from the sun-dried tomatoes in a large, wide skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken pieces and sear until golden brown and fully cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside. Turn off the heat momentarily.
  4. Deglaze the skillet: Pour in the dry white wine and turn the heat back to medium. Use a silicone spatula to scrape and loosen any browned bits from the bottom and sides of the skillet. Let the wine simmer until it reduces by half, about 3 to 4 minutes.
  5. Sauté garlic and tomato paste: Add butter and minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the tomato paste and continue stirring for 2 minutes to develop a rich flavor.
  6. Add the sauce mixture: Gradually pour in the prepared sauce from step 1 in small splashes, stirring continuously. Although the sauce may seem very liquid at this point, the orzo will absorb it as it cooks and thicken the sauce.
  7. Incorporate sun-dried tomatoes and bring to boil: Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Adjust heat as needed to maintain a gentle boil without boiling rapidly.
  8. Cook the orzo: Add the dry orzo to the skillet and bring back to a gentle boil. Cook uncovered, stirring frequently and sliding a silicone spatula along the bottom to prevent sticking, for about 9 minutes or according to package instructions, until the orzo is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
  9. Add cheeses and spinach: Lower the heat to low, then add the softened cream cheese. Gradually stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until both are melted and fully combined. Add the roughly chopped baby spinach and cook until wilted, about 1 minute.
  10. Reintroduce the chicken: Return the seared chicken pieces along with any accumulated juices back to the skillet. Stir gently to combine and heat the chicken through. The sauce will continue to thicken as it stands. Serve once it reaches your desired consistency.

Notes

  • Use the oil from the sun-dried tomatoes for richer flavor when searing the chicken.
  • If you prefer, chicken broth can substitute for the white wine to keep the dish alcohol-free; however, wine adds depth to the sauce.
  • Stir the orzo frequently while cooking to prevent it from sticking to the pan and to ensure even cooking.
  • The sauce will thicken as it cools; adjust consistency with a splash of broth or half and half if needed when reheating.
  • For a dairy-free option, substitute the cream cheese, half and half, and Parmesan with suitable plant-based alternatives.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://saraflavors.com/marry-me-chicken-orzo-one-pot-recipe/