Description
Monterey Chicken One Pan Orzo is a creamy, cheesy, and comforting one-pan meal combining tender chicken breasts, orzo pasta, fresh greens, and melted Monterey Jack cheese. Quick to prepare and easy to customize, this dish is perfect for busy weeknights, offering a balanced and satisfying dinner with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Pasta and Liquids
- 1 cup dry orzo pasta
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 2 oz cream cheese or 1/4 cup heavy cream
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups fresh spinach or other greens
Cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Seasonings and Oils
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Fresh herbs like thyme or parsley, chopped (about 1 tbsp)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and your preferred herbs. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or deep pan over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken breasts until golden brown on both sides but not fully cooked through. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same pan, add chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook until softened and fragrant, scraping up any browned bits from the chicken to enhance flavor.
- Cook the Orzo: Add dry orzo pasta to the pan and stir it to coat with the onion and garlic mixture. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Stir occasionally and cook until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Combine Creamy Ingredients and Chicken: Reduce the heat to low. Stir in cream cheese and shredded Monterey Jack cheese until melted and creamy. Nestle the seared chicken breasts back into the pan along with fresh spinach or other greens. Cover and cook for a few more minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the spinach wilts.
- Final Seasoning and Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and fresh herbs. Stir well to blend all flavors. Serve immediately while warm and cheesy.
Notes
- Use fresh, high-quality chicken for the best flavor and tenderness.
- Don’t skip searing the chicken as it locks in juices and adds depth of flavor.
- Stir the orzo frequently to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Fresh herbs like parsley or thyme brightens the dish when added at the end.
- Adjust broth quantity as needed depending on your cooking setup to get perfectly cooked orzo.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg