Description

One Pot Marry Me Chicken Orzo is a comforting, delicious weeknight meal featuring tender, juicy chicken thighs and perfectly cooked orzo pasta simmered in a creamy, herb-infused sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and Parmesan cheese. This one-pot recipe is simple to prepare, minimizes cleanup, and delivers rich, balanced flavors everyone will love.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs

Pasta & Broth

1 cup dry orzo pasta
2 ½ cups chicken broth

Dairy

½ cup heavy cream
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Vegetables & Aromatics

½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
1 small onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced

Herbs & Seasonings

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Oils

2 tablespoons olive oil

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken thighs with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning, then sear them for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
Sauté Aromatics: In the same pot, add diced onions and minced garlic. Cook until softened and fragrant, about 2-3 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the chicken for extra flavor.
Add Orzo and Broth: Stir in the dry orzo pasta, coating it with the aromatics and oil. Pour in chicken broth and bring the mixture to a simmer, ensuring the orzo is fully submerged.
Return Chicken to the Pot: Nestle the seared chicken thighs back into the pot on top of the orzo, then cover and simmer gently until the orzo is tender and the chicken is cooked through, about 15 minutes.
Stir in Creamy Ingredients: Remove the chicken and stir heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, and grated Parmesan cheese into the orzo. Simmer gently until the sauce thickens slightly, then return the chicken to coat in the luscious sauce.
Finish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped parsley over the dish and serve immediately, enjoying the harmonious blend of flavors and textures.

Notes

Don’t skip searing: Browning the chicken first locks in juices and builds rich flavor in the sauce.
Use quality chicken broth: It makes a noticeable difference in depth and savoriness.
Watch the orzo: Stir and keep an eye on it to prevent sticking or overcooking.
Adjust creaminess: Add more or less cream based on your preference for sauce thickness.
Let it rest: Allow the dish to sit for a few minutes off heat to enhance flavor melding.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 450 kcal
Sugar: 3 g
Sodium: 700 mg
Fat: 22 g
Saturated Fat: 10 g
Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 35 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 30 g
Cholesterol: 110 mg