This creamy, flavor-packed Marry Me Chicken Orzo is a one-pan comfort meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Juicy chicken, hearty orzo pasta, and a rich sun-dried tomato cream sauce come together in just one skillet for an easy dish with minimal cleanup. It’s the kind of meal that feels fancy but takes hardly any effort!
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I love this recipe because it’s quick, satisfying, and packed with bold flavors. The creamy sun-dried tomato sauce coats every bite, while the parmesan and basil add so much depth. I’m all about easy meals that still feel special, and this one fits the bill perfectly. Plus, the leftovers reheat beautifully, so I always make a big batch to have an easy, delicious meal ready to go the next day.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients in the photograph below.
How to Make Marry Me Chicken Orzo
A complete printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.
I love how this dish comes together in one pot, making it simple yet packed with flavor. Here’s how to make it step by step:
Cook the Chicken
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the cubed chicken in a single layer, season with salt and black pepper, and let it cook for 3-4 minutes without stirring. This helps get that golden brown sear that adds so much flavor.
Add the Seasoning and Aromatics
Sprinkle the chicken with garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. Stir everything together so the chicken is well-coated, then add the remaining olive oil.
Toss in the minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes, cooking for about a minute until fragrant.
Cook the Orzo
Stir in the orzo pasta, pour in the chicken broth, give everything a good stir, and bring it to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let it cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
Make It Creamy
Stir in the fresh spinach and heavy cream, letting it cook for another minute until the spinach wilts. Sprinkle the parmesan cheese and chopped basil over the top, then remove from heat.
Serve and Enjoy!
Serve while it’s warm and creamy, and enjoy! This dish is perfect as-is, but if you’re feeling extra fancy, add a sprinkle of extra parmesan or a squeeze of fresh lemon for a little zing!
Marry Me Chicken Orzo
Add Preferred SourceIngredients
- 2 chicken breasts cubed
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes chopped
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 pound orzo pasta
- 4 cups chicken broth
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- ¾ cup parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons basil leaves chopped
Instructions
- Cut the chicken breasts into cubes. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.2 chicken breasts, 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Once the oil is hot, add the chicken in a single layer. Season with salt and pepper and let it cook for 3-4 minutes without stirring, until golden brown.Salt and pepper
- Sprinkle the chicken with garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, and Italian seasoning, then stir to coat evenly.1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Add the remaining olive oil, followed by minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the orzo pasta, then pour in the chicken broth. Stir well and bring to a simmer.½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, 4 garlic cloves, 1 pound orzo pasta, 4 cups chicken broth
- Reduce the heat to low and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
- Stir in the fresh spinach and heavy cream, cooking for another minute until the spinach wilts. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and chopped basil, then remove from heat.¾ cup heavy cream, 2 cups fresh spinach, ¾ cup parmesan cheese, 2 tablespoons basil leaves
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Chicken thighs: Chicken breasts work great, but if you prefer even more tender and flavorful chicken, go for boneless, skinless thighs.
- Don’t overcook the orzo: It should be soft but still have a little bite, like perfectly cooked rice or pasta. If it absorbs too much liquid too fast, just add a splash of chicken stock.
- More veggies: Broccoli, green beans, or even mushrooms would be great in this dish. Just toss them in when adding the spinach.
- Adjust the spice level: If you like a little heat, add red pepper flakes when cooking the garlic and sun-dried tomatoes.
- Make it even creamier: Stir in an extra tablespoon of butter at the end for a richer sauce.
- Fresh basil is best: Dried basil works in a pinch, but fresh basil adds so much more flavor and brightness.
- Other pasta: While orzo works best for this recipe, you can try small pasta shapes like ditalini or couscous. Just adjust the liquid and cooking time as needed.
- Dairy-free: Swap the heavy cream for a dairy-free alternative like coconut milk or cashew cream, and use nutritional yeast instead of parmesan.
- Vegetarian: Skip the chicken and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. You can add chickpeas, tofu, or mushrooms for extra texture and protein.
- More protein: Stir in cooked shrimp, crispy bacon, or even some crumbled sausage for extra flavor and heartiness.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
- Fridge: Let the dish cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: When reheating, add a splash of chicken broth or heavy cream to bring back that creamy texture. Warm it on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally, or microwave in short intervals until heated through.
- Freeze: If you want to freeze it, I recommend skipping the cream when cooking and adding it fresh when reheating. This keeps the sauce from separating. Store in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months, then thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Nutrition
Recipe Notes and Tips
I love how simple this dish is, but a few little tricks make it even better. Here are my best tips:
- Chicken thighs: Chicken breasts work great, but if you prefer even more tender and flavorful chicken, go for boneless, skinless thighs.
- Don’t overcook the orzo: It should be soft but still have a little bite, like perfectly cooked rice or pasta. If it absorbs too much liquid too fast, just add a splash of chicken stock.
- More veggies: Broccoli, green beans, or even mushrooms would be great in this dish. Just toss them in when adding the spinach.
- Adjust the spice level: If you like a little heat, add red pepper flakes when cooking the garlic and sun-dried tomatoes.
- Make it even creamier: Stir in an extra tablespoon of butter at the end for a richer sauce.
- Fresh basil is best: Dried basil works in a pinch, but fresh basil adds so much more flavor and brightness.
- Other pasta: While orzo works best for this recipe, you can try small pasta shapes like ditalini or couscous. Just adjust the liquid and cooking time as needed.
- Dairy-free: Swap the heavy cream for a dairy-free alternative like coconut milk or cashew cream, and use nutritional yeast instead of parmesan.
- Vegetarian: Skip the chicken and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. You can add chickpeas, tofu, or mushrooms for extra texture and protein.
- More protein: Stir in cooked shrimp, crispy bacon, or even some crumbled sausage for extra flavor and heartiness.
How to Store Leftover Marry Me Chicken Orzo
Let the dish cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
When reheating, add a splash of chicken broth or heavy cream to bring back that creamy texture. Warm it on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally, or microwave in short intervals until heated through.
If you want to freeze it, I recommend skipping the cream when cooking and adding it fresh when reheating.
This keeps the sauce from separating. Store in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months, then thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
What to Serve With Marry Me Chicken Orzo
This dish is rich, creamy, and satisfying on its own, but a few sides can make it even better. I love serving it with warm focaccia bread to soak up all of the creamy sun-dried tomato sauce.
A simple Waldorf Salad adds a fresh contrast to balance out the richness. If you want more veggies, roasted broccoli, green beans, or asparagus make an easy and delicious addition.
More Chicken Recipes You Will Love
I love easy, flavorful meals like this, and if you do too, here are some more recipes you’ll enjoy:
