Baked Chicken Alfredo Orzo
Ingredients
- 1 tspolive oil
- 4chicken breasts
cut in half, or chicken thighs
- ½ tspsea salt
- ½ tspblack pepper
- 1 tspdried italian seasoning
- 2 tbspbutter
- 3 clovesgarlic
minced
- ⅓ conion
diced
- 1 ⅓ corzo
uncooked
- 2 ½ cchicken broth
low sodium
- 1 cbroccoli
diced, optional
- ½ ccream cheese
cut into pieces
- 1 cmilk
more as needed
- ¼ cparmesan
more for garnish
- fresh parsley chopped
for garnish
Directions
- 1
Preheat oven to 400ºF. Season chicken. Heat olive oil in a large cast iron or oven safe skillet on medium-high heat.
- 2
Once hot, sear the seasoned chicken until lightly golden, about 3 minutes per side. Remove chicken from the pan and place on a plate, and lower the heat to medium.
- 3
Add butter to skillet, once hot add in onions, garlic and cook until starting to soften, stir often. As the onions cook, begin to scrap up any browned bits from the chicken off the skillet (this is flavor!)
- 4
Add the orzo to the onions and let it brown for 2 minutes. Add the broth in slowly and stir. Add the cream cheese all around the pan in blobs. Add in the chopped broccoli and bring the liquid to a simmer. Stir in half the parmesan cheese and milk. Return the chicken to the skillet, nestling it around the orzo.
- 5
Bake for 20-25 minutes until the chicken reaches a temperature of 165ºF and the pasta is cooked through* You may need to add 1/3 cup more of milk halfway through the cooking process if the pasta dries it up most of the liquid.
- 6
Let the chicken and orzo cool for a few minutes before serving. The sauce will thicken up during this time period. Garnish with extra parmesan and chopped parsley.
Baked Chicken Alfredo Orzo
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About this Recipe
Looking for a delicious, comforting meal that comes together with minimal fuss on a busy weeknight? This Baked Chicken Alfredo Orzo is your new go-to, delivering rich, savory flavors in a single pan. It’s the perfect answer for a family dinner when you crave something satisfying and easy.
What makes this recipe a true game-changer is its sheer simplicity: everything bakes together in one dish, infusing the orzo with a deeply savory chicken broth, tender chicken, and a luscious Alfredo sauce. The creamy texture, combined with plenty of parmesan flavor, elevates this dish from simple to sensational, all while keeping cleanup effortless.
Prepare for a truly satisfying meal that feels indulgent yet is surprisingly straightforward to prepare. Each spoonful offers perfectly cooked orzo, nestled among tender pieces of chicken seasoned with sea salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning, all coated in a rich, velvety sauce bursting with garlic, onion, and parmesan flavor. The optional diced broccoli adds a welcome pop of color and slight freshness, balancing the creamy richness for a harmonious bite.
This versatile dish is easy to adapt to your pantry or preferences. Feel free to swap the chicken breasts for chicken thighs for even juicier results. If you're out of broccoli, consider adding other diced vegetables like bell peppers or spinach. For an extra cheesy experience, don't hesitate to add more parmesan, both mixed in and generously garnished on top, along with fresh parsley for a burst of color and vibrant appeal.
Baked Chicken Alfredo Orzo is ideal for a cozy family dinner or a comforting meal after a long day. Serve it hot, garnished with fresh chopped parsley and a sprinkle of extra parmesan, perhaps alongside a simple green salad to complete the meal.