Creamy Parmesan Orzo with Chicken Recipe
Ready in under 30 minutes, this Creamy Parmesan Orzo with Chicken is your ultimate one-pan comfort meal. Tender seared chicken rests over a bed of rich, risotto-like orzo, made creamy without heavy cream thanks to half and half and plenty of Parmesan. It's cozy, quick, and perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts about 3 medium-sized; trimmed and patted dry
- 0.5 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper freshly cracked if possible
- 1 tablespoon paprika adds warmth and color
- 2 tablespoons olive oil for searing and sautéing
- 1 large onion chopped; yellow or white both work
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 cups orzo pasta uncooked
- 2 cups half and half
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1.5 cups Parmesan cheese grated, preferably fresh
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Pat the chicken dry, then season both sides with salt, pepper, and paprika. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and keep warm.
- In the same skillet, add chopped onion and garlic. Sauté for 3–4 minutes until translucent and fragrant. Add more oil if needed.
- Stir in orzo and toast for 1 minute, stirring frequently.
- Pour in half and half and chicken broth. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring once or twice to prevent sticking.
- Stir in grated Parmesan until fully melted and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Slice cooked chicken thinly and serve over the creamy orzo. Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan if desired.
Notes
- For best results, pat the chicken dry before searing, use freshly grated Parmesan, and don’t skip toasting the orzo.
- To reheat leftovers, stir in a splash of broth or half and half to restore creaminess.
- Not recommended for freezing.
Nutrition
Calories: 556kcalCarbohydrates: 47gProtein: 37gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 95mgSodium: 756mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gCalcium: 419mgIron: 2.3mg
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