Marry Me Chicken Orzo

Marry Me Chicken Orzo is creamy, cozy, and cooked in one pan. Tender orzo simmers in a rich cream sauce with savory Mediterranean ingredients for an easy skillet dinner. Every bite is full of that classic “Marry Me” flavor.

Flavor: Rich, creamy, and savory with bright notes from sun-dried tomatoes and a hint of Parmesan.
Time-Saving Tip: This recipe uses cooked chicken breasts or rotisserie chicken for quick cooking, and the orzo simmers in the same pan with no draining needed.
Serving Suggestions: Serve this creamy chicken orzo with extra Parmesan and cracked pepper. Feeding a crowd? Add homemade garlic bread and a Caesar salad to stretch the meal.
Meal Prep: Portion leftovers into single-serve containers for easy grab-and-go lunches. Add some raw baby spinach on top of each portion, which will wilt as it reheats.

broth , spinach , sun dried tomatoes , parmesan , basil , garlic , whipping cream , chicken and orzo to make Marry Me Chicken Orzo

Creamy Skillet Ingredients

Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Use jarred tomatoes packed in olive oil for the best flavor and texture, and save the oil for sauteing future recipes.
Orzo: Small and quick cooking, orzo pasta cooks right in the sauce, no need for a separate pot or extra steps. Stir often so it doesn’t stick.
Heavy Whipping Cream: Heavy cream makes a rich, silky sauce, while half and half works for a lighter version; just simmer it a little longer to thicken.
Cooked Chopped Chicken: Use rotisserie chicken, leftover roasted chicken, or cooked diced chicken breasts.
Grated Parmesan Cheese: Grated Parmesan melts smoothly and seasons the sauce. Serve extra in a bowl at the table for the perfect garnish.

Favorite Variations and Swaps

Swap the cooked chicken for leftover turkey, cooked Italian sausage, or cooked chicken thighs.
Swap spinach for chopped kale or frozen spinach that has been thawed and squeezed dry. Or stir in some chopped fresh basil.
For extra veggies that add sweetness, add in some chopped roasted red peppers (either from a jar or homemade) or some frozen petite peas.
Skip the red pepper flakes or let spice lovers sprinkle on their own.
Add a sprinkle of Italian seasoning or oregano for extra Mediterranean flavors.

adding ingredients to pan to make Marry Me Chicken Orzo

adding wet ingredients to pan to make Marry Me Chicken Orzo

How to Make Marry Me Chicken Orzo

Cook the sundried tomatoes with garlic and basil just until fragrant.
Add the pasta ingredients, then cook until the orzo is tender (full recipe below).
Add Parmesan, cooked chicken pieces, and spinach, then simmer until heated through.
Let rest until slightly thickened and serve warm.

Stir the orzo frequently so that it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan.
If the sauce thickens too much, loosen it up with a splash of broth or some cream right before serving.
I like using low-sodium broth so it doesn’t end up too salty, and you can always tweak the seasoning if you like it a bit saltier.
Allow the orzo to set for a few minutes right in the skillet (but off the burner) before serving.

Marry Me Chicken Orzo in the pot with a wooden spoon

Storage and Leftovers

Let the leftover Marry Me Chicken Orzo cool, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, simmer gently on the stovetop with a splash of chicken broth, milk, or cream, stirring frequently.

Creamy orzo can be frozen for up to 2 months in a freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight in the fridge, and reheat on the stovetop with extra liquid, stirring frequently.

More Marry Me Style Comfort Dinners

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image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 35 minutes

Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil from the sun-dried tomatoes in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and basil, and cook for 1 minute or just until fragrant.
Add chicken broth, orzo, cream, and sun-dried tomatoes. Bring to a boil.
Reduce the heat to a low boil. Cook uncovered for 12 to 14 minutes, stirring frequently, until orzo is tender and sauce has slightly thickened, adding more broth if needed.
Stir in chicken, spinach, and Parmesan. Simmer 2 to 3 minutes more or until thickened and heated through.
Taste and season with salt and pepper. Let rest 2 minutes before serving. Serve with additional Parmesan cheese if desired.

Use diced chicken breasts if preferred. Season and brown in the skillet with oil over medium-high heat just until cooked through. (chicken should reach a safe internal temperature of 165°F) Transfer to a bowl to keep warm and add to the recipe in place of rotisserie chicken.
Optional: add ½ teaspoon chili flakes if desired
If the sauce thickens too much, add more broth or a splash of cream before serving.

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Chicken, Dinner, Entree, Main Course, Pasta

Cuisine American

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