Welcome to your new favorite weeknight meal! This One-Pot Chicken and Broccoli Orzo is the answer to the age-old question, “What’s for dinner?” It’s a creamy, satisfying, and incredibly flavorful dish that comes together in just about 30 minutes with minimal cleanup. If you’re looking for a family-friendly dinner that saves you time without sacrificing taste, you’ve found it. We combine tender chicken, vibrant broccoli, and pearl-like orzo pasta in a luscious, creamy sauce, all cooked in a single pan.
Why You’ll Love This One-Pot Chicken and Broccoli Orzo
There are so many reasons this recipe will become a staple in your kitchen. It’s designed for busy people who still crave a homemade meal that feels a little special.
- Minimal Cleanup: Everything cooks in one pot, which means fewer dishes to wash. It’s the perfect solution for a hectic evening.
- Ready in 30 Minutes: From start to finish, this dish is incredibly fast. You can have a complete, well-rounded meal on the table in no time.
- Creamy & Delicious: The orzo cooks directly in the sauce, releasing its starches to create a naturally creamy texture without needing heavy cream.
- Perfectly Balanced: With protein from the chicken, carbs from the orzo, and veggies from the broccoli, it’s a complete meal in one bowl. For another perfectly balanced meal, check out this delicious shrimp and rice bowl.
Key Ingredients for This Recipe
The magic of this dish lies in its simple, high-quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to create this creamy orzo recipe.
For the Chicken and Orzo:
- Olive Oil: Used for sautéing the chicken and aromatics.
- Chicken Breast: Boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Garlic & Onion: The aromatic base that builds a deep flavor foundation. I recommend a yellow onion and freshly minced garlic cloves.
- Orzo Pasta: This small, rice-shaped pasta is perfect for one-pot dishes as it cooks quickly and creates a creamy sauce.
- Chicken Broth: Use a low-sodium chicken broth to control the saltiness of the final dish.
- Broccoli Florets: Fresh broccoli adds color, nutrients, and a lovely texture. Cut them into small, bite-sized florets.
- Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese melts beautifully into the sauce, adding a nutty, savory finish.
- Lemon Juice: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end brightens up all the flavors.
- Seasoning: Dried oregano, salt, and black pepper are all you need.
How to Make One-Pot Chicken and Broccoli Orzo
Follow these simple steps for a foolproof, delicious meal. This easy weeknight dinner comes together quicker than you’d think!
- Cook the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then add them to the pot. Cook until golden brown on all sides and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the chopped onion to the same pot and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and dried oregano and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Toast the Orzo: Add the uncooked orzo to the pot and stir constantly for about 1-2 minutes, allowing it to toast slightly. This step adds a wonderful nutty flavor to the dish.
- Simmer the Orzo: Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the orzo from sticking.
- Add Broccoli and Chicken: Uncover the pot and stir in the broccoli florets. Continue to cook, uncovered, for another 3-5 minutes, until the orzo is al dente and the broccoli is tender-crisp. Return the cooked chicken to the pot.
- Finish the Dish: Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
Tips for the Perfect Creamy Orzo
Want to ensure your One-Pot Chicken and Broccoli Orzo turns out perfectly every single time? Here are a few expert tips.
- Don’t Skip Toasting the Orzo: This simple step adds a significant layer of nutty flavor that elevates the entire dish.
- Use Freshly Grated Parmesan: Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can make your sauce grainy. Grating your own ensures a silky-smooth finish.
- Stir Occasionally: Orzo can stick to the bottom of the pot, so be sure to give it a good stir every few minutes as it simmers.
- Don’t Overcook the Broccoli: Add the broccoli in the last few minutes of cooking to ensure it stays vibrant green and tender-crisp.
Delicious Variations to Try
While this recipe is fantastic as is, it’s also incredibly versatile. If you love a good casserole, you might also enjoy this Hamburger Supreme Casserole. Here are a few ideas to customize your chicken and orzo dish:
- Add Spinach: Stir in a few handfuls of fresh spinach at the very end until it wilts.
- Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic for a little bit of heat.
- Swap the Protein: This recipe works well with shrimp or crumbled Italian sausage instead of chicken.
- Add Sun-Dried Tomatoes: For a Mediterranean twist, add some chopped sun-dried tomatoes when you sauté the onions.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
This dish makes for fantastic leftovers! Store any extra in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply add a splash of chicken broth or water to a saucepan and gently warm over medium-low heat until heated through. The added liquid will help loosen the sauce and restore its creamy consistency. If you’re looking for another great make-ahead meal, try our Crockpot White Chicken Chili.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. To make it dairy-free, you can omit the Parmesan cheese or use a dairy-free Parmesan alternative. The sauce will be slightly less creamy but still delicious.
Yes, you can use frozen broccoli. Add it directly to the pot during the last 3-4 minutes of cooking. There is no need to thaw it first.
To make this recipe gluten-free, simply substitute the orzo pasta with your favorite gluten-free small pasta or even rice. Ensure your chicken broth is also certified gluten-free.
If you don’t have orzo, you can use another small pasta shape like ditalini or small shells. You may need to adjust the cooking time slightly based on the package directions.
This dish is a complete meal on its own, but it also pairs wonderfully with a simple side salad or some crusty bread to soak up the creamy sauce.
The Best One-Pot Chicken and Broccoli Orzo Recipe
One-Pot Chicken and Broccoli Orzo: The Ultimate Weeknight Dinner
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then add them to the pot. Cook until golden brown on all sides and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside.
- Add the chopped onion to the same pot and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and dried oregano and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add the uncooked orzo to the pot and stir constantly for about 1-2 minutes, allowing it to toast slightly. This step adds a wonderful nutty flavor to the dish.
- Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the orzo from sticking.
- Uncover the pot and stir in the broccoli florets. Continue to cook, uncovered, for another 3-5 minutes, until the orzo is al dente and the broccoli is tender-crisp. Return the cooked chicken to the pot.
- Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
Tip 2: Don't overcook the broccoli! Add it during the last few minutes of cooking to keep it bright green and tender-crisp.
Tip 3: If the sauce becomes too thick, you can stir in an extra splash of chicken broth to reach your desired consistency.
Share This Delicious Recipe!
We hope you love this One-Pot Chicken and Broccoli Orzo as much as we do! It’s a true lifesaver on busy nights and a joy to eat. If you make it, please leave a comment below and let us know how it turned out. Don’t forget to share it with your friends and family on Pinterest!
