Orzo cooks directly in chicken broth instead of water, absorbing every drop of flavor like risotto rice.
One Pan Marry Me Chicken Orzo
Discover the magic of our One-Pan Marry Me Chicken Orzo, a delightful dish that combines tender chicken, creamy orzo, and vibrant spinach in a single skillet! This quick and scrumptious meal not only satisfies your hunger but also elevates your dinner game with minimal cleanup. Get ready for a flavor explosion that just might inspire a proposal!
Prep
15
min
Cook
30
min
Serves
4
people
Level
beginner
The Story
This Italian-American frankenstein was birthed in 1990s suburban kitchens when harried soccer moms discovered that combining Sicily's sun-dried tomato obsession with America's one-pan convenience culture creates something that would make nonna weep—but in a good way, because even traditional Italian grandmothers secretly love shortcuts that don't compromise the soul-warming factor.
Regional Twist
In Rome's Trastevere district, they ditch the coconut milk for proper pecorino romano, double the sun-dried tomatoes, and toss in wild Roman spinach that's got more bite than your average supermarket leaves.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories
450
Protein
28g
Carbs
42g
Fat
15g
📝 Ingredients
Shopping List
- 1 ½ lbs (680 g) chicken breast
- 3 cup (177 ml) coconut milk or heavy cream
- 2 handfuls fresh spinach
- 1 cup (237 ml) orzo
- 3 cup (177 ml) parmesan cheese
- 3 cup (177 ml) sun-dried tomatoes
Pantry Items
Amounts also listed in instructions below
- 2 ¾ cups (651 ml) chicken broth
- garlic (to taste)
- ground black pepper (to taste)
- italian seasoning (to taste)
- kosher salt (to taste)
- olive oil (to taste)
- paprika (to taste)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Pat chicken dry and cut into cubes.
- 2
Add olive oil to a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken and cook for 2-3 minutes until edges start to cook.
- 3
Add sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 3-4 minutes more.
- 4
Add orzo and chicken broth, stir well, reduce heat to medium, cover, and cook for 12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- 5
Once orzo is cooked, add coconut milk or cream and spinach, stir until spinach is wilted, then add parmesan cheese and stir again.
- 6
Remove from heat, plate, and enjoy!
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Pound chicken breasts to uniform 3/4-inch thickness before cubing to ensure even cooking and prevent overcooking the smaller pieces while larger ones remain underdone.technique3/4-inch thickness
- ✓Use a 3:1 ratio of broth to orzo and maintain gentle simmer at medium heat because orzo absorbs liquid differently than rice - too high heat causes uneven absorption and mushy exterior.technique3:1 ratio
- ✓Reserve 1/4 cup of the starchy orzo cooking liquid before adding cream, then use it to adjust consistency since orzo releases more starch than pasta and creates natural thickening.timing1/4 cup reserved liquid
- ✓Add spinach in two batches - first handful when orzo is 90% cooked, second after cream addition, because spinach releases water that can thin the sauce if added too early.timing90% cooked timing
- ✓Grate parmesan fresh and add it off heat while stirring constantly to prevent seizing - pre-grated cheese contains anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting at temperatures above 160°F.ingredient160°F threshold
Share this recipe
Prep
15
min
Cook
30
min
Serves
4
people
Level
beginner
Share this recipe
Orzo cooks directly in chicken broth instead of water, absorbing every drop of flavor like risotto rice.
One Pan Marry Me Chicken Orzo
Discover the magic of our One-Pan Marry Me Chicken Orzo, a delightful dish that combines tender chicken, creamy orzo, and vibrant spinach in a single skillet! This quick and scrumptious meal not only satisfies your hunger but also elevates your dinner game with minimal cleanup. Get ready for a flavor explosion that just might inspire a proposal!
The Story
This Italian-American frankenstein was birthed in 1990s suburban kitchens when harried soccer moms discovered that combining Sicily's sun-dried tomato obsession with America's one-pan convenience culture creates something that would make nonna weep—but in a good way, because even traditional Italian grandmothers secretly love shortcuts that don't compromise the soul-warming factor.
Regional Twist
In Rome's Trastevere district, they ditch the coconut milk for proper pecorino romano, double the sun-dried tomatoes, and toss in wild Roman spinach that's got more bite than your average supermarket leaves.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories
450
Protein
28g
Carbs
42g
Fat
15g
📝 Ingredients
Shopping List
- 1 ½ lbs (680 g) chicken breast
- 3 cup (177 ml) coconut milk or heavy cream
- 2 handfuls fresh spinach
- 1 cup (237 ml) orzo
- 3 cup (177 ml) parmesan cheese
- 3 cup (177 ml) sun-dried tomatoes
Pantry Items
Amounts also listed in instructions below
- 2 ¾ cups (651 ml) chicken broth
- garlic (to taste)
- ground black pepper (to taste)
- italian seasoning (to taste)
- kosher salt (to taste)
- olive oil (to taste)
- paprika (to taste)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Pat chicken dry and cut into cubes.
- 2
Add olive oil to a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken and cook for 2-3 minutes until edges start to cook.
- 3
Add sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 3-4 minutes more.
- 4
Add orzo and chicken broth, stir well, reduce heat to medium, cover, and cook for 12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- 5
Once orzo is cooked, add coconut milk or cream and spinach, stir until spinach is wilted, then add parmesan cheese and stir again.
- 6
Remove from heat, plate, and enjoy!
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Pound chicken breasts to uniform 3/4-inch thickness before cubing to ensure even cooking and prevent overcooking the smaller pieces while larger ones remain underdone.technique3/4-inch thickness
- ✓Use a 3:1 ratio of broth to orzo and maintain gentle simmer at medium heat because orzo absorbs liquid differently than rice - too high heat causes uneven absorption and mushy exterior.technique3:1 ratio
- ✓Reserve 1/4 cup of the starchy orzo cooking liquid before adding cream, then use it to adjust consistency since orzo releases more starch than pasta and creates natural thickening.timing1/4 cup reserved liquid
- ✓Add spinach in two batches - first handful when orzo is 90% cooked, second after cream addition, because spinach releases water that can thin the sauce if added too early.timing90% cooked timing
- ✓Grate parmesan fresh and add it off heat while stirring constantly to prevent seizing - pre-grated cheese contains anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting at temperatures above 160°F.ingredient160°F threshold