Marry Me Chicken Orzo (Printable)
Creamy chicken orzo with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and fresh herbs in a rich parmesan sauce.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
03 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
04 - 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
05 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
→ Orzo & Sauce
06 - 3/4 cup dry orzo pasta
07 - 1 tablespoon butter
08 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
09 - 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (in oil), drained and sliced
10 - 1/2 cup chicken broth
11 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
12 - 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
13 - 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
14 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
15 - Salt and pepper to taste
→ Garnish
16 - 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
17 - Extra Parmesan, for serving
# How to Make It:
01 - Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs, coating both sides evenly.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken breasts for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and cover loosely with foil.
03 - In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
04 - Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes and orzo, tossing to coat for 1 minute to lightly toast the pasta.
05 - Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream; stir well, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet for added flavor.
06 - Add Parmesan, red pepper flakes (if using), thyme, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir to combine until cheese begins to melt.
07 - Nestle the chicken breasts back into the skillet, cover, and simmer on low for 12–15 minutes, until orzo is al dente and the sauce has thickened. Stir orzo occasionally to prevent sticking; add a splash more broth if the mixture becomes too dry.
08 - Remove from heat and let rest for 2–3 minutes to allow sauce to set. Garnish with fresh basil and extra Parmesan before serving.
# Expert Hacks:
01 -
- The sauce creates itself while the orzo cooks, absorbing all those golden brown bits from the chicken
- Its fancy enough for date night but comes together in under 45 minutes with minimal cleanup
02 -
- The orzo will continue absorbing liquid as it rests, so if the sauce looks too thick while cooking, add another splash of broth
- Sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil are essential here—the oil adds as much flavor as the tomatoes themselves
03 -
- Pound the chicken to even thickness so it cooks uniformly and stays juicy
- Reserve some of the sun-dried tomato oil to drizzle over the finished dish for an extra hit of flavor