Description

Creamy Parmesan Chicken and Orzo is a delightful, heartwarming dish that effortlessly combines tender chicken in a rich, creamy sauce with perfectly cooked orzo pasta. This comforting recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, bringing joy to your dinner table without extensive preparation. Easy to customize with seasonal vegetables, it caters to everyone’s tastes while delivering a deliciously satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
1 cup orzo pasta
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tsp dried Italian herbs

Instructions

Prepare your ingredients: Mince garlic and season chicken with salt and pepper.
Cook the chicken: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil. Add chicken and cook for about 5-7 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove from skillet.
Sauté garlic: Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for one minute until fragrant.
Add broth and orzo: Pour in chicken broth, bring to a gentle boil, then stir in orzo and dried herbs. Cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes until orzo absorbs most of the broth.
Create the sauce: Lower heat, stir in heavy cream gradually followed by Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy.
Combine: Slice cooked chicken, return it to the skillet, mix well, then serve with extra sauce drizzled on top.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main
Method: Skillet
Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup (245g)
Calories: 475
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 600mg
Fat: 24g
Saturated Fat: 11g
Unsaturated Fat: 12g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 37g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 35g
Cholesterol: 120mg

Keywords: For added nutrition, incorporate seasonal veggies like spinach or bell peppers during cooking. You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or coconut milk for a lighter option.