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Orzo Chicken Bake
Dive into the cozy flavors of fall with our Orzo Chicken Bake! This delightful one-pan dish combines tender orzo pasta, juicy chicken, and vibrant broccoli, all baked to perfection and crowned with a crunchy layer of crushed Ritz crackers. It's a simple, satisfying meal that brings warmth to your table with minimal fuss!
easyfalldump and bake
nut-free
dinner
Prep
10
min
Cook
20
min
Serves
4
people
Level
beginner
📝 Ingredients
Serves 4Servings:
🥬Fresh Produce(3)
- cooked chopped broccoli
- garlicoptional
- pepperoptional
🥩Meat & Seafood(1)
- cream of chicken
🥛Dairy & Eggs(1)
- shredded cheese
🫙Pantry Staples(2)
- broth
- orzo
🧂Spices & Seasonings(1)
- saltoptional
🍯Sauces & Condiments(1)
- ranchoptional
📦Other(1)
- crushed Ritzoptional
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories
536
Protein
18g
Carbs
64g
Fat
24g
Fiber 4g·Sugar 5g·Sodium 2026mg
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Add your orzo, broth, cream of chicken, and seasonings to a baking dish.
- 2
Mix in cooked chopped broccoli and shredded cheese.
- 3
Cover tightly with foil and bake at 375 for about 20 minutes.
- 4
After baking, give it a quick stir and add crushed Ritz on top if desired.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Toast the dry orzo in a dry skillet at medium heat for 2-3 minutes before adding to the baking dish to develop nutty flavors and create a slight surface seal that prevents over-absorption of liquid.technique2-3 minutes at medium heat
- ✓Use a 1:1.25 ratio of orzo to total liquid (broth + cream) because orzo absorbs approximately 25% more liquid than rice during cooking, preventing a mushy, oversaturated casserole.ingredient1:1.25 ratio (orzo:liquid)
- ✓Add the broccoli after the first 15 minutes rather than at the start—this prevents the florets from breaking down completely and maintains their structural integrity while the orzo cooks.timingAdd at 15-minute mark
- ✓Reduce oven temperature to 350°F and extend baking to 25-28 minutes if using a ceramic or dark-colored baking dish, which conducts heat 15-20% faster than glass and risks over-browning the edges.equipment350°F for 25-28 minutes (ceramic/dark dish)
- ✓Sprinkle the Ritz topping during the last 3-4 minutes of baking rather than after, so the butter fat crisps and toasts to golden without burning, while the residual heat sets the crust.timing3-4 minutes before completion
Cuisine: american
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