Looking for a cozy, one-pan dinner that combines tender chicken, fresh veggies, and a creamy, cheesy sauce? This Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Orzo is exactly what you need! This dish brings together succulent chicken, tender broccoli, and orzo pasta in a creamy cheddar sauce, all made in one skillet for easy cooking and cleanup. Perfect for a comforting family meal, this recipe is rich, satisfying, and packed with flavor!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound chicken, cut into small pieces
- ½ cup yellow onion, chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup matchstick carrots
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 ½ cups chicken broth
- 2 cups of finely chopped broccoli florets
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, divided (1 ¼ cup + ¼ cup)
Instructions
- Cook the chicken: In a large skillet, melt the butter and add the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces, season with salt, black pepper, and paprika, and cook until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes.
- Sauté the aromatics: In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring, until the onion becomes clear and releases its aromatic scent.
- Add the carrots and orzo: Stir in the matchstick carrots and orzo pasta. Cook for 1-2 minutes, allowing the orzo to lightly toast in the butter and oil mixture.
- Add the broth and cook: Pour in the chicken broth, stirring well. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then cover and cook for 8-10 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
- Add the broccoli and cream: Add the chopped broccoli and heavy cream to the skillet. Stir well, cover again, and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until the broccoli is tender.
- Stir in the cheese: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in 1 ¼ cup of the sharp cheddar cheese, mixing until it melts and creates a creamy sauce.
- Add the chicken and final garnish: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, stirring until well combined. Sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup of cheddar cheese on top, cover for a minute to allow the cheese to melt, then serve hot.
Conclusion:
This Creamy Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Orzo is a comforting, all-in-one meal that brings together tender chicken, vibrant broccoli, and creamy cheddar in every bite. Quick to make and full of flavor, it’s a dish that’s sure to become a weeknight favorite for the whole family. Serve it up for a satisfying dinner that’s as nutritious as it is delicious.
Creamy Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Orzo Skillet
A creamy, cheesy one-pan orzo dish with tenderchicken, broccoli, and carrots, perfect for a comforting dinner that’s quick tomake and easy to love.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound chicken cut into small pieces
- ½ cup yellow onion chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup matchstick carrots
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 ½ cups chicken broth
- 2 cups of finely chopped broccoli florets
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese divided (1 ¼ cup + ¼ cup)
Instructions
- Cook the chicken: In a large skillet, melt the butter and add the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces, season with salt, black pepper, and paprika, and cook until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes.
- Sauté the aromatics: In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring, until the onion becomes clear and releases its aromatic scent.
- Add the carrots and orzo: Stir in the matchstick carrots and orzo pasta. Cook for 1-2 minutes, allowing the orzo to lightly toast in the butter and oil mixture.
- Add the broth and cook: Pour in the chicken broth, stirring well. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then cover and cook for 8-10 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
- Add the broccoli and cream: Add the chopped broccoli and heavy cream to the skillet. Stir well, cover again, and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until the broccoli is tender.
- Stir in the cheese: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in 1 ¼ cup of the sharp cheddar cheese, mixing until it melts and creates a creamy sauce.
- Add the chicken and final garnish: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, stirring until well combined. Sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup of cheddar cheese on top, cover for a minute to allow the cheese to melt, then serve hot.