This comforting, one pan Marry Me chicken orzo features tender chicken and rice-shaped pasta wrapped in a creamy, sun-dried tomato and spinach sauce.
It's an Italian-American fusion with a luxuriously creamy sauce that's both sophisticated and comforting.
What makes this dish truly special is how it marries convenience with indulgence – everything comes together in a single pan, yet tastes like it came from a high-end restaurant.
It’s a dreamy, easy weeknight dinner the family will ask for on repeat!
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Why You'll Love This One Pan Marry Me Chicken Orzo
Simple & Cozy: This one-pan meal is your answer to busy nights when you want something easy and satisfying. It’s creamy, cozy, and packed with flavor!
Chef-Level Taste: Juicy chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, nutty Parmesan, and creamy orzo come together for a restaurant-quality dish.
Minimal Cleanup: You get a complete meal in just one pan. You know what that means, right? Fewer dishes to clean up!
Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: It’s an impressive yet approachable dish that's perfect for date nights, family dinners, or cozy evenings.
Ingredients
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast: Cut into bite-sized pieces for even cooking.
- Garlic: Fresh is best! If you’re out, garlic powder works in a pinch (1 teaspoon).
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes: They add a slightly sweet and tangy flavor along with a chewy texture. You'll also use the oil from the jar to fry the chicken.
- Seasonings: A simple blend of paprika, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
- Dry Orzo Pasta: This small, rice-shaped pasta cooks directly in the sauce, absorbing all the flavors.
- Chicken Stock: It cooks the pasta while adding a wonderful savory depth.
- Heavy Cream: For an ultra-creamy sauce!
- Baby Spinach: Adds a pop of color and helps cut through all the richness.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese: Melts into the sauce for a complementary nutty, salty richness.
- Fresh Basil: Used as a garnish for a fresh, aromatic finish. Trust me, it makes a difference!
How to Make One Pan Marry Me Chicken Orzo
If you're not familiar with “marry me” dishes, they're those irresistible recipes rumored to be so delicious they'll inspire a proposal – and this one definitely lives up to the legend.
The addition of orzo transforms the classic into a complete meal, while keeping all those swoon-worthy flavors that made the original famous.
Here's how to make it:
1. HEAT the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5–6 minutes until golden and cooked through. Reduce heat to medium.
2. STIR in the garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, paprika, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 2–3 minutes then add the orzo and chicken stock.
3. BRING to a boil, then reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. POUR in the cream, add the spinach, and stir until wilted and the sauce thickens, about 1–2 minutes. Stir in the Parmesan until melted.
5. TASTE and adjust with salt and pepper as needed. Serve immediately with fresh basil. ENJOY!
Tips For the Best One Pan Marry Me Chicken Orzo
Remember that viral Marry Me chicken that was all the rage? Well, this creamy orzo version is even better!
It’s super comforting and made in just one pot. And with these tips, even those picky eaters will love it.
- Prep first. This one pan meal moves fast! So, be sure to measure and organize all the ingredients before starting.
- Size matters. Choose a large, deep skillet that will hold all the ingredients and allow enough room for stirring.
- Slice evenly. Cut the chicken pieces into uniform 1-inch pieces to ensure even cooking.
- Watch closely. The orzo should cook just right with the stock. But if it looks dry, add a splash more stock, as needed.
- Use rotisserie chicken. Cooked chicken is a great way to speed things up. Just add it to the pot near the end of cooking to reheat it.
- Boost the flavor. Add 1-2 teaspoons of sun-dried tomato paste with the garlic.
- Add other proteins. Add cooked bacon bits or sliced Italian sausage. Or, swap chicken for chickpeas and use vegetable stock for a vegetarian version.
How to Store
While I can't guarantee a proposal, I can promise this dish will make someone fall in love – if not with you, then definitely with your cooking.
With that in mind, don't expect to see any leftovers!
In case you do, though, here's what to do:
To Store: Place leftovers in an airtight container. Refrigerate for 2-3 days.
To Reheat: Warm gently over low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of cream or chicken broth to restore the creamy texture. Alternatively, reheat in the microwave until thoroughly warmed.
Note: I don't recommend freezing leftovers. The pasta will become mushy, and the sauce is likely to split after thawing.
More Orzo Dinners You Have to Try
Broccoli Cheddar Orzo
Mushroom Orzo
Lemon Orzo
Orzo Risotto
One Pan Marry Me Chicken Orzo
4
servings10
minutes20
minutes787
kcalThis comforting, one pan Marry Me chicken orzo features tender chicken and rice-shaped pasta wrapped in a creamy, sun-dried tomato and spinach sauce.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon oil from the sun-dried tomatoes jar
1 1/2-2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
1-2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 cup (8 ounces) dry orzo pasta
2 1/2 cups chicken stock
1 cup heavy cream, room temperature
2 cups baby spinach, packed
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
salt and pepper to taste
fresh basil, for garnish
Instructions
- In a large, deep skillet or pan, warm the oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for about 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the meat is golden and no longer pink in the center.
- Reduce the heat to medium and stir in the garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, paprika, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 2–3 minutes, letting the flavors develop.
- Add the orzo and chicken stock. Bring to a gentle boil, then lower the heat, cover, and simmer for 10–12 minutes, or until the orzo is almost tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Turn the heat to the lowest setting and slowly pour in the cream. Add the spinach, stir well, and cook for 1–2 minutes, or until the spinach is wilted and the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Turn off the heat, then stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts into the sauce. Taste and adjust with salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve immediately with fresh basil, and enjoy!
Notes
- This one pan meal moves fast! So, be sure to measure and organize all the ingredients before starting.
- Add cooked bacon bits or sliced Italian sausage. Or, swap chicken for chickpeas and use vegetable stock for a vegetarian version.
1 Comments
Love all these wonderful recipes. Going to the store right now. Thank you, keep them coming!