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Parmesan orzo and chicken in a skillet with a bowl of parmesan cheese behind it.
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5 from 2 votes

Creamy Chicken and Orzo

Herbed goat cheese and parmesan create a luxurious and creamy sauce for this quick and easy Italian flavored chicken and orzo skillet.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Chicken + Poultry, Dinners, Pasta, Skillet + One Pot Meals
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: chicken orzo, creamy chicken orzo, creamy parmesan chicken orzo
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Danae Halliday

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1/3 cup finely chopped shallots
  • 2 cloves garlic, grated or minced
  • 1 1/4 cups uncooked orzo
  • 2 1/4 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 5 ounces baby spinach
  • 4 ounces herbed goat cheese, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
  • 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme leaves

Instructions

  • Season the pieces of chicken with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning and garlic powder. Add the olive oil to a 12 inch deep skillet or a pot and heat it over medium-high heat. Swirl to coat the bottom of the pan then dump the chicken in.
  • Brown the chicken for 3-4 minutes before flipping it over and continuing to cook it all the way through. Remove the cooked chicken onto a plate.
  • Add the shallots and garlic to the pan and cook for 1-2 minutes, just until the shallots have started to soften.
  • Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up the brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring the broth to a boil and then pour in the orzo. Stir and turn the heat down to medium-low.
  • Simmer the orzo for 12 minutes or until it's tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Stir often to prevent the orzo from sticking to the bottom of the pan. You may need to add additional broth if it’s absorbed before the orzo is tender. Add it in a couple tablespoons at a time.
  • Add the spinach, goat cheese, parmesan cheese, and thyme in with the orzo. Stir until the spinach is wilted and the cheeses are fully incorporated and creamy. Taste for seasoning.
  • Stir the chicken back in with the orzo. Top with extra parmesan cheese and thyme leaves, then serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 506kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 44g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 94mg | Sodium: 946mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g