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
Scale
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.
