Description
A creamy, one-pan pasta dish made with tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and orzo simmered in a garlic-infused broth. Perfect for busy weeknights, this hearty skillet meal comes together in under 40 minutes.
Ingredients
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1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 3 medium), cut into bite-sized cubes
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2 tbsp olive oil
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1 tsp kosher salt
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½ tsp black pepper
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1 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
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1 medium onion, finely diced
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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1 ½ cups uncooked orzo pasta
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3 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth (warm)
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1 cup whole milk (or half-and-half for extra creaminess)
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2 cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen, cut into bite-sized pieces)
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½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
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Juice of ½ lemon (about 1 tbsp)
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Zest of 1 lemon (optional, for brightness)
Optional Garnish: Fresh parsley, extra Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes
Instructions
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Prep the Chicken – Pat chicken cubes dry. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika.
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Cook Chicken – Heat olive oil in a skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Cook chicken 6–7 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
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Sauté Aromatics – In the same skillet, add onion. Cook 3–4 minutes until softened. Add garlic and sauté 30 seconds.
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Toast Orzo – Stir in orzo and toast for 1–2 minutes to enhance flavor.
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Add Liquids – Pour in broth and milk, scraping browned bits from the pan. Bring to simmer, then reduce heat. Cover and cook 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is tender.
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Add Broccoli & Chicken – Stir broccoli into the orzo during the last 5 minutes. Return chicken to the pan and mix well.
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Finish & Serve – Stir in Parmesan, lemon juice, and zest. Adjust seasoning. Garnish with parsley, cheese, or red pepper flakes. Serve hot.
Notes
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Use fresh broccoli for best texture, but thawed frozen florets work too.
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Toasting the orzo prevents mushiness and adds a nutty flavor.
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Add a splash of broth or milk if sauce thickens too much before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, One-Pot Meal
- Method: Skillet / One-Pot
- Cuisine: American / Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion (¼ of recipe)
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: chicken and broccoli orzo, easy chicken orzo, creamy chicken broccoli pasta, one-pan chicken orzo