If you’re on the hunt for a comforting, quick dinner that’s bursting with flavor and creamy goodness, then this Creamy Chicken Orzo Recipe is about to become your new go-to. Imagine tender pieces of chicken nestled alongside tender orzo pasta, all bathed in a luscious cheddar cheese sauce that’s infused with gentle notes of garlic, onion, and warming spices. With a pop of fresh spinach adding color and nutrition, this dish blends simplicity and indulgence perfectly—all coming together in just 30 minutes. It’s the kind of meal that feels like a warm hug on a plate, yet is quick enough to pull off on a busy weeknight. Let me walk you through every delicious detail.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To create this comforting bowl of creamy chicken and orzo, you’ll want to gather some straightforward, wholesome ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role: from the bite-sized chicken pieces that add protein, to the rich cheddar cheese soup delivering that signature creaminess, and fresh spinach bringing in vibrant color and earthiness. It’s a recipe where simple pantry staples come alive to create something truly special.
- ½ pound orzo pasta: This small, rice-shaped pasta cooks quickly and absorbs the cheesy sauce beautifully.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil: For sautéing chicken and adding subtle fruitiness to the dish.
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut into ¾ inch pieces, patted dry): Tender and lean, perfect for absorbing flavors.
- ½ teaspoon salt (plus more for the pasta water): Essential to season both the chicken and pasta for balanced flavor.
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper: Provides just the right hint of spice to complement the creamy sauce.
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (room temperature): Adds richness and helps sauté the onions and garlic with a silky texture.
- â…“ cup sweet yellow onion (small diced): Brings sweetness and depth once caramelized gently.
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic: Infuses the sauce with a fragrant, savory kick.
- ½ cup chicken broth: Adds moisture and umami, enhancing the sauce’s flavor.
- ¼ teaspoon dried mustard: A subtle tang that brightens and deepens the cheesy sauce.
- â…› teaspoon sweet paprika: Introduces warmth and a gentle earthiness.
- â…› teaspoon ground thyme: Provides a light herbal note that complements the chicken perfectly.
- 21 ounce condensed cheddar cheese soup (undiluted): The heart of the creamy sauce, delivering luscious cheese flavor.
- ¼ cup whole milk: Lightens and smooths out the richness of the cheese soup.
- ½ cup chopped baby spinach (stems removed, lightly packed): Adds freshness, color, and nutrients, wilting into the sauce beautifully.
- Chopped fresh parsley or dried parsley flakes (optional garnish): A final touch of herbaceous brightness and visual appeal.
How to Make Creamy Chicken Orzo Recipe
Step 1: Cook the Orzo Pasta
Begin by cooking the orzo pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to the package instructions—usually 9 to 11 minutes until al dente. Once done, drain the pasta and rinse under cool water to stop the cooking process and prevent sticking. Set the orzo aside for later.
Step 2: Sauté the Chicken
Heat a large 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Season the chicken pieces thoughtfully with salt and black pepper. Cook the chicken for about 7 to 9 minutes, stirring occasionally until they develop a golden crust and are no longer pink inside. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a clean plate, letting those flavorful pan juices remain behind.
Step 3: Build the Aromatic Base
Turn the heat down to medium low, and add the soft, room-temperature butter to the skillet. Toss in the diced sweet yellow onions and minced garlic, cooking them gently for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant and just tender. This step is where the foundation of flavor starts to really build, filling your kitchen with that instantly comforting aroma.
Step 4: Add Broth and Spices
Pour in the chicken broth along with the dried mustard, sweet paprika, and ground thyme. Stir everything together and allow it to simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes. This simmer lets the spices bloom and infuses the broth with those cozy, nuanced flavors that you’ll notice in every bite.
Step 5: Create the Creamy Cheese Sauce
Next, stir in the condensed cheddar cheese soup along with the whole milk. Mix thoroughly until the sauce becomes perfectly smooth and creamy, enveloping every ingredient in rich, cheesy goodness. This step is truly where the dish earns its signature luscious texture.
Step 6: Combine Pasta, Chicken, and Spinach
Fold the cooked orzo pasta back into the skillet, ensuring each grain is coated in the cheesy sauce. Add the cooked chicken and the fresh baby spinach, stirring just until everything is combined and the spinach wilts gently in the residual heat—about 2 to 3 minutes. The wilted spinach brightens the dish and balances the richness with a tender pop of green.
Step 7: Serve with a Garnish
Remove the skillet from heat and serve the dish immediately. A sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley or dried parsley flakes adds a bright, herbaceous note and brings the presentation to life. Now, dig in and enjoy the wonderful comfort of your homemade Creamy Chicken Orzo Recipe.
How to Serve Creamy Chicken Orzo Recipe
Garnishes
A simple touch of chopped fresh parsley or dried parsley flakes makes a great garnish, adding a lovely pop of green and a fresh herbaceous aroma. If you’re feeling fancy, a light dusting of freshly cracked black pepper or a small sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese can elevate the dish’s look and flavor even more.
Side Dishes
Pair this Creamy Chicken Orzo Recipe with a crisp, refreshing side salad to cut through the richness—a lemon vinaigrette-dressed mixed green salad or a cucumber and tomato salad works beautifully. For a heartier meal, warm garlic breadsticks or cheesy pull-apart bread are perfect for soaking up any leftover sauce on the plate.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to get a little creative? Serve the creamy orzo in individual shallow bowls topped with a swirl of sour cream or plain Greek yogurt for extra creaminess and tang. For a casual dinner, scooping the orzo onto toasted bread rounds turns it into a unique, shareable appetizer. You can also turn this into a stuffed bell pepper dish by stuffing roasted peppers with the cheesy chicken orzo mixture and finishing under the broiler for a bubbly topping.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Creamy Chicken Orzo Recipe keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen a bit overnight—perfect for an easy lunch or quick dinner the next day.
Freezing
Freezing this particular recipe isn’t recommended. The creamy cheddar cheese sauce and orzo pasta don’t freeze well together, often resulting in a grainy texture or separation when thawed. To maintain the best quality, enjoy fresh or refrigerate leftovers instead.
Reheating
When reheating, warm the leftovers gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash (about ¼ cup) of chicken broth or milk to refresh the sauce and keep it silky smooth. Alternatively, microwave in short bursts, stirring in between and adding liquid as needed to maintain that creamy consistency.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs will add more richness and moisture since they’re a bit fattier, which pairs wonderfully with the creamy sauce. Just cut them into similar-sized pieces and adjust cooking times if needed.
Is there a substitute for the condensed cheddar cheese soup?
You can make a homemade cheese sauce using shredded cheddar cheese, butter, and milk to mimic the texture, but the canned soup adds thickness and convenience that’s hard to replicate exactly. If substituting, be prepared for a slightly different texture and flavor balance.
Can I add other vegetables to this recipe?
Definitely! Mushrooms, peas, zucchini, or cherry tomatoes make fantastic additions, adding both color and nutrition. Add them during the spinach step, adjusting the cooking time so veggies stay tender-crisp.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Yes, it reheats well when stored properly and makes for a satisfying meal prep option. Just be mindful to add a bit of liquid when warming to keep the sauce creamy.
What kind of pasta can I use if I don’t have orzo?
Small pastas like ditalini, acini di pepe, or even couscous work well. Cook according to package directions and adjust the timing in the recipe accordingly.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Chicken Orzo Recipe is that perfect blend of cozy comfort and quick, satisfying nourishment that feels like a comforting hug at the end of a busy day. It’s simple enough to whip up on a tight schedule yet full of vibrant flavors that make every bite memorable. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I love eating it—don’t be surprised if it becomes one of your favorite weeknight dinners to turn to again and again.
Print
Creamy Chicken Orzo Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
Creamy Chicken Orzo is a comforting and easy skillet meal featuring tender chicken, baby spinach, and orzo pasta in a rich, cheesy sauce. Ready in 30 minutes, this recipe combines protein, veggies, and carbs for a delicious, satisfying dish perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- ½ pound orzo pasta
- Salt (for pasta water, to taste)
For the Chicken
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into ¾ inch pieces, patted dry
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For the Sauce and Vegetables
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
- â…“ cup sweet yellow onion, small diced
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ¼ teaspoon dried mustard
- â…› teaspoon sweet paprika
- â…› teaspoon ground thyme
- 21 ounce condensed cheddar cheese soup, undiluted
- ¼ cup whole milk
- ½ cup chopped baby spinach, stems removed, lightly packed
- Chopped fresh parsley or dried parsley flakes (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add the orzo pasta. Cook for 9-11 minutes or until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse under cool water. Set aside.
- Cook the chicken: Preheat a large 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil, then season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Cook the chicken in the skillet for 7-9 minutes, turning occasionally until golden and cooked through with no pink inside. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside on a clean plate.
- Sauté aromatics: Lower the skillet heat to medium-low. Add the butter, diced onion, and minced garlic. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the onions become tender and fragrant.
- Simmer the broth and spices: Stir in the chicken broth, dried mustard, sweet paprika, and ground thyme with the onions. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the broth begins to simmer.
- Make the cheese sauce: Add the condensed cheddar cheese soup and whole milk. Stir continuously until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Combine the pasta, chicken, and spinach: Stir in the cooked orzo until fully coated with the cheese sauce. Add the cooked chicken and chopped spinach. Stir just until combined and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the spinach fully wilts and the ingredients are heated through.
- Serve: Remove the skillet from heat and serve immediately. Garnish with chopped fresh or dried parsley if desired.
Notes
- Stir orzo frequently while boiling to prevent sticking or clumping.
- Toast the orzo in olive oil or butter before boiling for added nutty flavor.
- If the sauce is too thick, thin it with additional chicken broth or milk as needed.
- Use room temperature butter and milk for a smoother sauce texture.
- Let the dish rest for 2-3 minutes off heat before serving to meld flavors.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently on stovetop with a splash of broth to loosen the sauce or microwave in intervals stirring in between.
- Freezing is not recommended as the creamy sauce may separate and change texture.
