If you love meals that bring comfort, simplicity, and vibrant flavors all to one pan, then this One-Pot Chicken Orzo Skillet Recipe is about to become your new weeknight hero. Picture tender cubes of golden chicken mingling with creamy orzo pasta, fresh spinach, and tangy feta cheese, all cooked together in a single skillet for just about 25 minutes. It’s a dish that’s as satisfying as it is effortless, perfect for busy evenings when you want something delicious without a long time in the kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of the One-Pot Chicken Orzo Skillet Recipe truly lies in its straightforward ingredients — each adding its own unique texture, flavor, or color to create a harmonious dish. These essentials keep things simple yet delicious, ensuring every bite is balanced and full of character.
- Olive oil: Adds a rich, fruity base for sautéing and helps develop beautiful browning on the chicken.
- Chicken breast: Cubed to cook quickly and evenly, it brings lean protein to the dish.
- Onion: Provides a subtle sweetness and depth when softened.
- Garlic: Brings aromatic warmth that enhances every other ingredient.
- Orzo pasta: Tiny, rice-shaped pasta that cooks up creamy and tender, acting almost like a risotto base.
- Chicken broth: The cooking liquid that infuses the orzo with savory flavor.
- Heavy cream: Enriches the dish with a silky texture and mild richness.
- Spinach: Adds freshness, a pop of color, and nutritional goodness as it wilts.
- Feta cheese: Offers a delightful tang and creaminess that ties the dish together.
- Salt and pepper: Essential seasonings to balance and elevate every flavor.
How to Make One-Pot Chicken Orzo Skillet Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Chicken
Start by heating the olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Once shimmering, add the cubed chicken pieces and cook them until they’re beautifully browned and cooked through, which should take about 6 to 8 minutes. This step not only locks in juicy flavor but also creates a lovely crust that adds texture. Once done, remove the chicken and set it aside – your skillet is about to get even more delicious.
Step 2: Sauté Onion and Garlic
In the same skillet, you’ll have all those delicious browned bits from the chicken – perfect for building flavor. Add your diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing them until the onion softens and the garlic releases its unmistakable aroma. This should take roughly 2 to 3 minutes and forms the aromatic base for the orzo.
Step 3: Cook the Orzo with Broth
Next, stir in the orzo pasta so it gets lightly coated with the flavorful oil and onion-garlic mixture. Pour in the chicken broth and bring everything to a gentle simmer. Let it cook uncovered for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring every now and then, until the orzo is tender and the broth has almost completely absorbed, creating a luscious texture similar to risotto.
Step 4: Add Cream, Spinach, and Feta
Once the orzo is cooked, stir in the heavy cream, chopped spinach, and crumbled feta cheese. This is where the dish transforms into a creamy, vibrant skillet meal. Allow it to cook for about 2 more minutes so the spinach wilts just right and the cream thickens slightly, coating every morsel in silky goodness.
Step 5: Combine Chicken and Season
Return the browned chicken to the skillet and give everything a good stir to combine all those wonderful flavors. Finally, season with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste — a small step that makes a big difference in highlighting the dish’s layers of flavor.
Step 6: Serve Hot and Enjoy
Serve the One-Pot Chicken Orzo Skillet Recipe piping hot, straight from your pan. It’s inviting, comforting, and effortlessly delicious, a true crowd-pleaser that’s ready in under half an hour.
How to Serve One-Pot Chicken Orzo Skillet Recipe
Garnishes
Adding a little extra on top brings your dish to life. A sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or a few more crumbles of feta cheese can brighten the flavors and add visual appeal. A wedge of lemon on the side can introduce a juicy citrus pop, balancing the richness perfectly.
Side Dishes
This recipe stands well on its own, but if you want to round out the meal, consider serving it with a crisp green salad dressed in a light vinaigrette or some roasted vegetables for extra crunch and color contrast. Garlic bread or warm pita can also be fantastic companions to soak up any remaining creamy sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving the One-Pot Chicken Orzo Skillet Recipe in shallow bowls to showcase the creaminess and texture of the orzo. If you’re feeling fancy, a drizzle of good-quality extra virgin olive oil or a scattering of toasted pine nuts adds a gourmet touch that’s sure to impress your guests or family.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually meld nicely overnight, so it can taste even better the next day! Just give it a gentle stir when reheating to restore its creamy texture.
Freezing
If you want to freeze this dish, it’s best to do so without the heavy cream added, as cream can sometimes separate when frozen and thawed. Store the cooked chicken, orzo, and vegetables in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge and stir in fresh cream when reheating.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of broth or water if the dish has thickened too much. This helps bring back the creamy consistency without drying out the chicken or pasta. Alternatively, a microwave works fine—just warm in short intervals, stirring in between.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Absolutely! While orzo works wonderfully for its creamy texture and quick cooking time, small pasta shapes like acini di pepe or even couscous can be substituted, but cooking times and liquid ratios may need tweaking.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Yes, the One-Pot Chicken Orzo Skillet Recipe stores well and makes a fantastic meal prep option. Just remember to add the spinach and cream fresh if possible to retain their best texture and flavor during reheating.
Can I make this dish vegetarian?
Definitely! Replace the chicken with hearty mushrooms or chickpeas for protein, and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth to keep it vegetarian-friendly while maintaining rich flavor.
What can I use instead of heavy cream?
If you prefer a lighter version, coconut milk or half-and-half can be used as substitutes, though they will change the flavor slightly. For a dairy-free option, try cashew cream for a similarly creamy result.
How spicy is this dish? Can I add heat?
This recipe is mild and comforting by default, but you can easily add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce while cooking if you like a bit of a kick.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend the One-Pot Chicken Orzo Skillet Recipe enough for anyone looking to create a meal that’s as easy as it is delightful. It perfectly balances creamy textures, fresh greens, and savory chicken in a single pan, making cleanup just as simple as cooking. Give it a try for dinner soon — I promise it’s going to be a favorite you come back to again and again!
Print
One-Pot Chicken Orzo Skillet Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Halal
Description
This One-Pot Chicken Orzo Skillet is a comforting and easy-to-make meal featuring tender chicken breast, creamy orzo pasta, fresh spinach, and tangy feta cheese all cooked together in a single skillet for quick cleanup and maximum flavor. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, this dish balances protein, veggies, and rich creaminess in just 25 minutes.
Ingredients
Proteins and Dairy
- 1 pound chicken breast, cut into cubes
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup spinach, chopped
Pantry Items
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta
- 2 cups chicken broth
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the cubed chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics: In the same skillet, sauté the diced onion and minced garlic until softened and fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.
- Cook the orzo: Stir in the orzo pasta and chicken broth, bringing the mixture to a simmer. Cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and the liquid has been mostly absorbed.
- Add cream and greens: Stir in the heavy cream, chopped spinach, and crumbled feta cheese. Cook for an additional 2 minutes, allowing the spinach to wilt and the cream to thicken slightly.
- Combine chicken and season: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir everything together. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve: Serve the dish hot, garnished with additional crumbled feta if desired for extra flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for a juicier texture if preferred.
- Substitute orzo with small pasta shapes like ditalini or small shells if unavailable.
- For a lighter version, swap heavy cream with half-and-half or a plant-based cream alternative.
- Fresh spinach can be replaced with kale or swiss chard for a different leafy green option.
- Adjust salt depending on the saltiness of the chicken broth and feta cheese used.
