Description
Marry Me Chicken Orzo is a delicious, creamy chicken dish served with tender orzo pasta. The chicken is perfectly cooked in a rich, savory sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and a touch of cream that’s sure to make your taste buds fall in love. A quick and easy weeknight dinner that’s so good, you’ll want to make it again and again!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
For the Sauce:
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (chopped)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
- 1 cup orzo pasta (uncooked)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken:
Season the chicken breasts on both sides with salt and pepper.
Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken breasts to the skillet and cook for 6-7 minutes per side, or until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside. - Make the Sauce:
In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
Add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another 2 minutes.
Pour in the chicken broth, stirring to deglaze the pan, and bring to a simmer.
Stir in the heavy cream, dried thyme, dried basil, and Parmesan cheese. Let the sauce simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly. - Cook the Orzo:
Add the uncooked orzo pasta into the skillet with the sauce, stirring to coat the pasta evenly.
Cover and cook for 8-10 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and has absorbed most of the sauce. If needed, add a little more chicken broth or water to ensure the pasta cooks evenly. - Finish the Dish:
Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, placing them on top of the orzo. Spoon some of the creamy sauce over the chicken.
Cover the skillet and simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes to reheat the chicken and allow the flavors to meld together. - Serve:
Garnish the dish with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately, with extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- For a variation, you can add spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers to the sauce for extra flavor.
- If you prefer a lighter version, substitute the heavy cream with half-and-half or use a non-dairy alternative like coconut milk or almond milk.
- You can also make this dish with chicken thighs for a richer flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate of chicken and orzo
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 790mg
- Fat: 31g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 120mg