Description
Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Orzo combines tender chicken, nutritious broccoli, and pasta into a creamy one-pot comfort dish ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 medium onion, diced (about 1 cup)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1½ cups dried orzo pasta (about 10 ounces)
- 3½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 3 cups fresh broccoli florets, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk (whole milk recommended)
- 2 cups shredded cheese (sharp cheddar and mozzarella blend)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons cream cheese (optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Additional grated Parmesan (for garnish)
- Cracked black pepper (for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- Season chicken with salt and pepper; cook for 4-5 minutes until golden but not fully cooked through.
- Add diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened; stir in garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes if using.
- Add orzo and toast for 1 minute, stirring continuously.
- Pour in chicken broth, scraping up browned bits; bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer and cover.
- Cook covered for 5 minutes, then add broccoli on top without stirring; cover and cook 3 more minutes.
- Stir to incorporate broccoli; most liquid should be absorbed.
- Sprinkle flour over mixture, stirring constantly for 1 minute to form a light roux.
- Reduce heat to low, add milk gradually while stirring; simmer for 1-2 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Remove from heat, stir in shredded cheese, Parmesan, and cream cheese until melted and smooth.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Let rest uncovered for 2-3 minutes; garnish with parsley, Parmesan, and cracked pepper before serving.
Notes
To reheat, add a splash of milk or broth and microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between. For variations, try different proteins or veggies like peas, spinach, or asparagus.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: cheesy chicken broccoli orzo, one pot dinner, creamy pasta, weeknight meal