Description
Marry Me Chicken Orzo is a creamy, flavorful one-pan meal featuring tender chicken breasts cooked in a luscious sun-dried tomato and herb-infused cream sauce, served over delicate orzo pasta. This comforting dish blends savory garlic, rich Parmesan, and aromatic herbs for a perfect dinner that feels indulgent yet comes together in under 40 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper to taste
For Cooking
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
Sauce and Pasta
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup orzo pasta, uncooked
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry and season both sides generously with salt and pepper to enhance flavor before cooking.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook until golden brown on both sides, about 4-5 minutes per side, then remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic and Sun-Dried Tomatoes: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add the minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
- Prepare the Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, then stir in dried thyme and basil. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Add Orzo and Simmer: Stir in the uncooked orzo pasta, mixing well to combine. Allow the orzo to cook in the simmering sauce for about 8-10 minutes, or until tender and the sauce begins to thicken.
- Return Chicken to Skillet: Nestle the seared chicken breasts back into the skillet on top of the orzo. Cover and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes to ensure the chicken is cooked through and flavors meld.
- Finish with Cheese and Garnish: Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the dish and let it melt into the creamy sauce. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- Sun-dried tomatoes add a concentrated, sweet tang; use packed in oil for richer flavor.
- Heavy cream can be substituted with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, but the texture will be less rich.
- If your chicken breasts are thick, pound them to even thickness to ensure even cooking.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth if monitoring salt intake.
- For a dairy-free version, omit butter and cream, substituting with coconut milk and a plant-based butter.
