Orzo cooks directly in chicken broth instead of water, absorbing every drop of flavor like rice risotto.
One Pan Marry Me Chicken Orzo
Discover the magic of our One-Pan Marry Me Chicken Orzo, a delightful fusion of tender chicken, flavorful orzo, and vibrant spinach! This all-in-one meal comes together effortlessly, making it ideal for a speedy weeknight dinner that will impress everyone at the table. With a splash of zesty lemon and a sprinkle of Parmesan, your taste buds are in for a treat!
Prep
15
min
Cook
30
min
Serves
4
people
Level
beginner
The Story
This American-Italian frankenstein was invented by food bloggers around 2018 who took traditional Italian orzo risotto techniques, chucked in coconut milk like they're running a Thai restaurant, then slapped on the 'Marry Me' marketing because apparently decent chicken needs a proposal to be worth eating—it's what happens when Instagram meets grandma's recipe box.
Regional Twist
In Sicily's Catania region, they swap the spinach for wild fennel fronds and add the sun-dried tomatoes at the very end to maintain their chewy texture.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories
450
Protein
28g
Carbs
42g
Fat
15g
📝 Ingredients
Shopping List
- 1 ½ lbs (680 g) chicken breast
- ¾ cup (177 ml) coconut milk or heavy cream
- 2 handfuls fresh spinach
- 1 cup (237 ml) orzo
- ¾ cup (177 ml) parmesan cheese
- ¾ cup (177 ml) sun-dried tomatoes
Pantry Items
Amounts also listed in instructions below
- black pepper (to taste)
- 2 ¾ cups (651 ml) chicken broth
- garlic (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 the pan is hot, add the chicken. Stir and cook for 2-3 minutes until the edges start to cook.
- 3
Add in the sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 3-4 minutes more.
- 4
Add the orzo and broth and stir well. Reduce heat to medium. Cover the skillet and cook for 12 minutes, removing the cover every few minutes to stir.
- 5
Once the orzo is cooked through, add the coconut milk or cream and spinach. Stir for another minute until the spinach is wilted.
- 6
Add in the parmesan cheese and stir once more. Remove from heat, plate, and enjoy!
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Maintain your skillet temperature at 325-350°F throughout cooking to prevent the orzo from sticking and ensure even liquid absorption without scorching the bottom.technique325-350°F
- ✓Use a 3:1 broth-to-orzo ratio (2.75 cups broth to 1 cup orzo) because orzo absorbs liquid differently than rice, requiring more liquid to achieve creamy texture without becoming mushy.ingredient3:1 ratio
- ✓Add the coconut milk only after the orzo has fully absorbed the broth because adding fat too early creates a barrier that prevents proper starch release and creamy texture development.timing
- ✓Pound chicken breasts to uniform 3/4-inch thickness before cubing to ensure even cooking in the 5-7 minute window, preventing dry edges while centers reach 165°F.technique3/4-inch thickness
- ✓Reserve 1/4 cup of the starchy cooking liquid before adding dairy, then use it to adjust consistency because the starches help emulsify and prevent the sauce from breaking.technique1/4 cup
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 rice risotto.
One Pan Marry Me Chicken Orzo
Discover the magic of our One-Pan Marry Me Chicken Orzo, a delightful fusion of tender chicken, flavorful orzo, and vibrant spinach! This all-in-one meal comes together effortlessly, making it ideal for a speedy weeknight dinner that will impress everyone at the table. With a splash of zesty lemon and a sprinkle of Parmesan, your taste buds are in for a treat!
The Story
This American-Italian frankenstein was invented by food bloggers around 2018 who took traditional Italian orzo risotto techniques, chucked in coconut milk like they're running a Thai restaurant, then slapped on the 'Marry Me' marketing because apparently decent chicken needs a proposal to be worth eating—it's what happens when Instagram meets grandma's recipe box.
Regional Twist
In Sicily's Catania region, they swap the spinach for wild fennel fronds and add the sun-dried tomatoes at the very end to maintain their chewy texture.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories
450
Protein
28g
Carbs
42g
Fat
15g
📝 Ingredients
Shopping List
- 1 ½ lbs (680 g) chicken breast
- ¾ cup (177 ml) coconut milk or heavy cream
- 2 handfuls fresh spinach
- 1 cup (237 ml) orzo
- ¾ cup (177 ml) parmesan cheese
- ¾ cup (177 ml) sun-dried tomatoes
Pantry Items
Amounts also listed in instructions below
- black pepper (to taste)
- 2 ¾ cups (651 ml) chicken broth
- garlic (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 the pan is hot, add the chicken. Stir and cook for 2-3 minutes until the edges start to cook.
- 3
Add in the sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 3-4 minutes more.
- 4
Add the orzo and broth and stir well. Reduce heat to medium. Cover the skillet and cook for 12 minutes, removing the cover every few minutes to stir.
- 5
Once the orzo is cooked through, add the coconut milk or cream and spinach. Stir for another minute until the spinach is wilted.
- 6
Add in the parmesan cheese and stir once more. Remove from heat, plate, and enjoy!
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Maintain your skillet temperature at 325-350°F throughout cooking to prevent the orzo from sticking and ensure even liquid absorption without scorching the bottom.technique325-350°F
- ✓Use a 3:1 broth-to-orzo ratio (2.75 cups broth to 1 cup orzo) because orzo absorbs liquid differently than rice, requiring more liquid to achieve creamy texture without becoming mushy.ingredient3:1 ratio
- ✓Add the coconut milk only after the orzo has fully absorbed the broth because adding fat too early creates a barrier that prevents proper starch release and creamy texture development.timing
- ✓Pound chicken breasts to uniform 3/4-inch thickness before cubing to ensure even cooking in the 5-7 minute window, preventing dry edges while centers reach 165°F.technique3/4-inch thickness
- ✓Reserve 1/4 cup of the starchy cooking liquid before adding dairy, then use it to adjust consistency because the starches help emulsify and prevent the sauce from breaking.technique1/4 cup