Description
This Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Orzo is a creamy, comforting one-pan meal perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chicken, nutritious broccoli, and tender orzo pasta are cooked together in a flavorful chicken broth, finished with sharp cheddar and Parmesan cheeses for a rich, cheesy finish. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s an easy, wholesome dinner that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein & Dairy
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- ½ cup milk
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon butter
Vegetables
- 2 cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
Pantry Items
- 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
Optional Garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Cook the chicken: In a large skillet or sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and lightly browned.
- Toast the orzo: Add the uncooked orzo pasta to the skillet with the cooked chicken. Stir for 1 to 2 minutes to lightly toast the orzo, enhancing its flavor.
- Simmer with broth: Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer gently for 8 minutes.
- Add broccoli and cook: After 8 minutes, add the broccoli florets to the skillet. Cover again and continue cooking for another 5 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and the broccoli is cooked through.
- Make it cheesy and creamy: Stir in the milk, shredded cheddar cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, and butter into the skillet mixture. Stir continuously until the cheese has melted and the dish becomes creamy and well combined.
- Serve: Remove from heat, garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired, and serve the cheesy chicken broccoli orzo warm for a delicious meal.
Notes
- Substitute: Use rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken for a quicker preparation by stirring it in with the broccoli.
- Richer sauce: Use whole milk or add a splash of cream for extra creaminess.
- Vegetarian option: Omit the chicken and substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth.
- Broccoli alternatives: Fresh or frozen broccoli florets both work well in this recipe.
