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
1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 3 medium), cut into bite-sized cubes
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp kosher salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
1 medium onion, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 ½ cups uncooked orzo pasta
3 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth (warm)
1 cup whole milk (or half-and-half for extra creaminess)
2 cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen, cut into bite-sized pieces)
½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Juice of ½ lemon (about 1 tbsp)
Zest of 1 lemon (optional, for brightness)
Optional Garnish: Fresh parsley, extra Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes
Instructions
Prep the Chicken – Pat chicken cubes dry. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika.
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.
Sauté Aromatics – In the same skillet, add onion. Cook 3–4 minutes until softened. Add garlic and sauté 30 seconds.
Toast Orzo – Stir in orzo and toast for 1–2 minutes to enhance flavor.
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.
Add Broccoli & Chicken – Stir broccoli into the orzo during the last 5 minutes. Return chicken to the pan and mix well.
Finish & Serve – Stir in Parmesan, lemon juice, and zest. Adjust seasoning. Garnish with parsley, cheese, or red pepper flakes. Serve hot.
Notes
Use fresh broccoli for best texture, but thawed frozen florets work too.
Toasting the orzo prevents mushiness and adds a nutty flavor.
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