Marry Me Chicken Orzo (Printable)

Tender chicken and orzo combined with sun-dried tomatoes in a creamy parmesan sauce for a comforting meal.

# What you need:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 teaspoon salt
03 - ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
04 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
05 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Orzo & Aromatics

06 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
07 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
08 - 1 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and thinly sliced
09 - 1½ cups orzo pasta

→ Sauce

10 - 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
11 - 1 cup heavy cream
12 - ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
13 - 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
14 - 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
15 - 2 cups baby spinach leaves

→ Garnish

16 - Fresh basil, chopped
17 - Extra Parmesan cheese, for serving

# How to make it:

01 - Pat chicken breasts dry and season both sides evenly with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear chicken until golden brown, about 4 to 5 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
03 - In the same pan, add chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes; cook an additional minute.
04 - Stir in orzo and toast lightly for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
05 - Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to incorporate and scraping any browned bits from the pan.
06 - Return chicken breasts to the pan, nestling them into the orzo mixture. Reduce heat to medium, cover, and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is al dente and chicken is fully cooked.
07 - Remove chicken to a plate. Stir in Parmesan cheese, crushed red pepper flakes, thyme, and spinach until spinach wilts and sauce thickens.
08 - Slice chicken and either return to the pan or serve atop orzo. Garnish with chopped fresh basil and additional Parmesan cheese.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's elegant enough to impress but so forgiving that even a kitchen disaster can't ruin it.
  • Everything cooks in one pan, which means minimal cleanup and maximum flavor.
  • Ready in under an hour, perfect for those nights when you want comfort food that doesn't feel rushed.
02 -
  • Don't skip the drying step on the chicken—wet chicken won't brown properly, and browning is where flavor lives.
  • Stir the orzo occasionally while it simmers so it doesn't stick to the bottom, but don't overdo it or you'll break the strands.
  • Taste the sauce before serving and season boldly; it should make you want another spoonful immediately.
03 -
  • For a lighter version without losing creaminess, replace half the heavy cream with Greek yogurt stirred in at the end—tangy and rich without the heaviness.
  • If you prefer more vegetables, add fresh spinach right before serving, or toss in roasted red peppers instead of sun-dried for a different flavor angle entirely.
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