Easy Cheesy Chicken Orzo Recipe – Creamy One-Pan Comfort Dinner
Cheesy chicken orzo is a quick and comforting dinner made with tender chicken, creamy cheddar sauce, and fresh spinach. Ready in just 30 minutes, this easy one-pan recipe is perfect for busy weeknights.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- ½ pound orzo pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into ¾ inch pieces
- ½ teaspoon salt (plus more for pasta water)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ⅓ cup diced sweet yellow onion
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ¼ teaspoon dried mustard
- ⅛ teaspoon sweet paprika
- ⅛ teaspoon ground thyme
- 21 ounces condensed cheddar cheese soup
- ¼ cup whole milk
- ½ cup baby spinach
Instructions
- Cook orzo in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Cook chicken in olive oil over medium-high heat until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- In same skillet, cook butter, onion, and garlic until fragrant.
- Add broth and spices; simmer briefly.
- Stir in cheddar soup and milk until smooth.
- Add orzo, chicken, and spinach. Cook until spinach wilts.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use heavy cream for a richer sauce.
- Add broth if sauce becomes too thick.
- Chicken thighs can be substituted for breasts.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 562
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 1328 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 59 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 96 mg