Description
Creamy Chicken Orzo is a comforting and delicious dish featuring tender chicken pieces and tender orzo pasta bathed in a rich and cheesy sauce with flavorful herbs and spinach. Ready in just 30 minutes, this skillet-cooked meal combines creamy cheddar cheese soup with savory seasonings for a quick and hearty dinner perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
Orzo Pasta
- ½ pound orzo pasta
- Salt (for pasta water)
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into ¾ inch pieces, patted dry
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
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 Orzo: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the orzo pasta for 9-11 minutes until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse under cool water to stop cooking. Set aside.
- Cook the Chicken: Preheat a large 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and the chicken pieces. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Cook for 7-9 minutes until the chicken is lightly golden and cooked through with no pink inside. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside on a clean plate.
- Sauté Aromatics: Reduce heat to medium-low and add the butter, diced onions, and minced garlic to the same skillet. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the onions are tender and the garlic is fragrant.
- Add Broth and Spices: Stir in chicken broth, dried mustard, sweet paprika, and ground thyme. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the broth begins to simmer and the flavors meld.
- Make the Sauce: Add the condensed cheddar cheese soup and whole milk to the skillet, stirring thoroughly until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Combine Orzo, Chicken, and Spinach: Stir the reserved orzo pasta into the cheese sauce until fully coated. Add the cooked chicken and chopped spinach, mixing gently. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the spinach wilts completely into the sauce.
- Serve: Remove from heat and serve immediately. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or dried parsley flakes if desired for a fresh burst of flavor and color.
Notes
- Be sure not to overcook the orzo pasta to keep it al dente and avoid mushiness.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth if you want to control salt levels in the dish.
- Fresh spinach can be substituted with baby kale or Swiss chard for variation.
- The cheddar cheese soup provides creaminess and flavor—avoid diluting it to maintain the right consistency.
- Leftover dish can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated on the stovetop, adding a splash of milk if needed to loosen the sauce.
