Description
Marry Me Chicken Orzo is a luscious one-pot dish featuring tender seared chicken thighs baked atop creamy orzo pasta, infused with sun-dried tomatoes, fresh spinach, and fragrant herbs. Rich with Parmesan and a blend of savory spices, this comforting meal is perfect for an impressive yet simple dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 ¼ teaspoons salt (divided)
- ¾ teaspoon black pepper (divided)
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
Orzo and Sauce
- 4 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1 (7-ounce) jar sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (packed in oil, drained)
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 (16-ounce) package orzo pasta
Finishing Touches
- 4 cups loosely packed fresh baby spinach
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F to prepare for baking the finished dish.
- Cook the chicken: Pat chicken thighs dry and season both sides with 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, paprika, and thyme. Heat avocado oil in a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sear for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove chicken and set aside on a plate.
- Cook the garlic and tomatoes: Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for an additional minute.
- Add cream, broth, and orzo: Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, scraping up browned bits from the pan. Bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in orzo pasta, ensuring it is evenly coated and submerged in the liquid.
- Bake in the oven: Nestle seared chicken thighs back on top of the orzo mixture. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until chicken is cooked through and the orzo is creamy but slightly saucy.
- Finish and serve: Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside. Gently stir the orzo, then mix in Parmesan cheese, fresh spinach, and basil leaves. Once the spinach has wilted, return the chicken to the skillet. Garnish with additional basil and Parmesan if desired. Serve immediately to enjoy the creamy texture before the orzo absorbs more liquid.
Notes
- Use a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven for this one-pot recipe to simplify cooking and clean-up.
- Make sure to dry the chicken well before seasoning to achieve a nice sear.
- The orzo continues to absorb liquid as it sits, so serve immediately for best texture.
- Sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil provide more flavor; drain but do not rinse before using.
- You can substitute chicken thighs for breasts if preferred, but cooking time may vary slightly.
