Description
Marry Me Chicken Orzo is a creamy, flavorful one-pan dish featuring tender chicken breasts seared to perfection and simmered in a luscious sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and Parmesan cheese. The dish combines orzo pasta with a rich, velvety cream sauce and fresh basil for a comforting, romantic dinner that’s easy to prepare on the stovetop.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce and Orzo
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- 1 tablespoon butter
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry and season evenly with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder to ensure flavorful meat.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sear the chicken breasts for 5 to 6 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside to rest.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, taking care not to burn the garlic.
- Add Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Orzo: Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and orzo pasta. Toast the orzo in the skillet for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, to enhance its nutty flavor.
- Add Liquids and Simmer: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir to combine all ingredients. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook, stirring frequently, for 8 to 10 minutes until the orzo is tender and the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency.
- Finish the Sauce: Reduce heat to low. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, butter, and chopped fresh basil until the cheese melts and the sauce is smooth.
- Return Chicken to Skillet: Nestle the cooked chicken breasts back into the orzo and sauce. Simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes to heat the chicken through and meld the flavors.
- Serve: Serve hot, optionally garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh basil for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken thighs for extra juiciness.
- If the orzo becomes too thick, add a splash of chicken broth or cream to loosen the sauce.
- Adjust the spiciness by increasing the amount of red pepper flakes according to your taste.
