Description
Marry Me Chicken Orzo is a comforting one-pot Italian-inspired dish featuring tender chicken breast, sun-dried tomatoes, and creamy parmesan sauce with orzo pasta and fresh spinach. Perfect for a quick and flavorful weeknight dinner that combines savory herbs, paprika, and rich double cream for a luscious finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Base
- 650 g Chicken breast (skinless and boneless, chopped, about 4 pieces)
- 1 tbsp Olive oil (or oil from sun-dried tomatoes jar)
- 3 Garlic cloves (peeled and crushed)
- 170 g Sun-dried tomatoes (in oil, drained)
- 1 tsp Oregano
- 2 tsp Paprika
Pasta and Liquids
- 250 g Orzo
- 650 ml Hot chicken stock
- 150 ml Double cream
Finishing Ingredients
- 50 g Parmesan (grated)
- 120 g Spinach
- Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Cook the chicken: In a large, deep frying pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. When the oil is hot, carefully add the chopped chicken pieces. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until all sides start to brown and color develops.
- Add aromatics and spices: Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the crushed garlic, drained sun-dried tomatoes, oregano, and paprika. Stir well and cook for 3-5 minutes until the garlic becomes softened and fragrant.
- Cook orzo with stock: Add the orzo pasta, hot chicken stock, and freshly ground black pepper to the pan. Stir everything thoroughly, then cover the pan with a lid. Allow it to cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is almost cooked and has absorbed much of the liquid.
- Finish with spinach and cream: Lower the heat to the lowest setting. Add the fresh spinach and double cream to the pan. Stir continuously for 1-3 minutes until the spinach wilts and the cream is heated through. Ensure that the chicken is fully cooked before proceeding.
- Stir in Parmesan and serve: Turn off the heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and well combined. Adjust seasoning with more black pepper if desired. Serve immediately for a cozy and creamy chicken orzo meal.
Notes
- You can substitute spinach with kale or Swiss chard if preferred.
- Use oil from the sun-dried tomato jar for extra flavor when cooking the chicken.
- Make sure to stir occasionally during orzo cooking to prevent sticking to the pan.
- This recipe works well with chicken thighs, but cooking times may vary.
- For a lighter version, substitute double cream with half-and-half or a lower-fat cream alternative.
