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A beautiful serving of creamy chicken and broccoli orzo in a white bowl, garnished with fresh parsley.

Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Orzo: The Perfect One-Pan Dinner

Discover the ultimate weeknight meal with this Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Orzo recipe. A one-pan wonder combining tender chicken, broccoli, and orzo in a rich, creamy cheese sauce that's ready in 35 minutes.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 580

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1 small Onion finely diced
  • 3 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1 lb Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 tsp Italian Seasoning
  • 1.5 cups Uncooked Orzo Pasta
  • 4 cups Low-Sodium Chicken Broth
  • 2 cups Broccoli Florets small, bite-sized
  • 1.5 cups Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
  • 0.5 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
  • Salt and Black Pepper to taste

Equipment

  • 1 Large skillet or Dutch oven
  • 1 Cutting Board
  • 1 Chef's knife

Instructions
 

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  2. Add the chicken pieces to the skillet. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken and set aside.
  3. Add the uncooked orzo to the same skillet. Stir constantly for about 1 minute until it's lightly toasted.
  4. Pour in the chicken broth, making sure to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 10-12 minutes, until the orzo is nearly al dente.
  5. Stir the broccoli florets and the cooked chicken back into the skillet. Cover and continue to cook for another 3-5 minutes, until the broccoli is tender and the orzo is fully cooked.
  6. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the shredded cheddar and Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is creamy. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve immediately.

Notes

For the best results, use freshly grated cheese as it melts more smoothly.
If the sauce becomes too thick, you can stir in an extra splash of chicken broth to reach your desired consistency.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
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