Marry Me Chicken Orzo Recipe (One Pot)
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This amazing Marry Me Chicken Orzo Recipe is a creamy, hearty dinner loaded with tender chicken, spinach, and pasta in a flavorful sauce. Like my Marry Me Chicken Tortellini, this recipe takes the viral chicken dish and turns it into a filling and comforting pasta dinner made all in one pot!
All made in one pot, this creamy chicken and orzo is a super easy dish that's ready in no time and so easy to clean up! This makes it an ideal dinner when you're craving something comforting and satisfying, even on busy weeknights when you don't have a lot of time or energy. Pair it with my Ciabatta Garlic Bread and a Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad for a well-rounded meal!
Quick Look: Marry Me Chicken Pasta
- ⏱️ Prep Time: 15 minutes
- 🕒 Total Time: 50 minutes
- 👨👩👧👦 Servings: 6
- 📊 Calories: ~400 kcal per serving
- 🥣 Ingredients: chicken thighs, olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, sun-dried tomatoes, dried basil, dried oregano, garlic cloves, white cooking wine, orzo, chicken broth, heavy cream, baby spinach, Parmesan cheese
- ⭐ Difficulty: Easy, minimal cleanup but maximum flavor
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Simple Ingredients: Thanks to easy and accessible ingredients, it's so easy to shop for this dish and know it'll turn out amazing every time.
Easy Prep and Cleanup: This one pot dinner means less dishes to clean up after and quick, low-stress prep and cooking in just one skillet!
Comforting and Filling: The whole family will love the combination of tender chicken thighs, creamy sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta.
For even more savory chicken dinner recipes, try my Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta or my Chicken Alfredo Lasagna Roll Ups!
Ingredients Needed
- Chicken: I used chicken thighs but breasts can also be used.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Yum can use jarred or try my homemade Garlic Roasted Cherry Tomatoes.
- White Cooking Wine: More chicken stock can be used if you prefer.
- Parmesan Cheese: Use fresh parmesan cheese from the deli.
How to Make this Marry Me Chicken Orzo Recipe
- Step 1: In a mixing bowl, combine chicken with seasonings (minus the dried herbs) and olive oil, then toss to coat well.
- Step 2: Heat another drizzle of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Step 3: Add sun-dried tomato, basil, oregano, and more paprika. Cook for 3 more minutes or so, stirring occasionally. Then add the minced garlic and cook for a minute and deglaze the pan with wine.
- Step 4: Mix in uncooked orzo pasta and stir to combine.
- Step 5: Pour in the chicken stock and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 10 to 12 minutes.
- Step 6: Add the spinach to the pot. Work by the handful if you can't fit all of the spinach in as it wilts.
- Step 7: Add cream and Parmesan, mixing to combine.
- Step 8: Stir until everything is mixed together well and the sauce has thickened. Top with additional Parmesan and serve.
Recipe Tips
- If you prefer, you can use chicken breast instead of thighs. Just be careful not to overcook, as chicken breasts will be cooked through a bit quicker.
- Cut the chicken into even-sized pieces so everything cooks evenly and stays juicy.
- Substitute the cooking wine for a splash of chicken broth to deglaze the pan.
- Be sure to give the orzo an occasional stir as it cooks to prevent it from sticking together.
Recipe FAQ's
The title of this popular chicken dish comes from the idea that it's so delicious, serving it to somebody will cause them to propose to you!
Yes, you can make this dish a day or two ahead of time and store in the fridge. I recommend undercooking the orzo slightly if you're making ahead, as it will continue to soften and absorb liquid as it sits.
Be careful not to overcook the orzo. Because you're cooking it right in the sauce, it may continue to cook and soften as it cools. Try to avoid adding too much liquid and allow the orzo and sauce time to start thickening up.
Cream-based sauces can separate after freezing, so this recipe is best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated for up to 3 days. If you do freeze it, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently while stirring.
More Delicious Orzo Recipes
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Marry Me Chicken Orzo Recipe (One Pot)
Ingredients
- 1½ pound chicken thighs boneless skinless cut into 1” pieces you can us breast or tenders
- 2 tablespoons olive oil divided
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 (8 ounce) jar julienne cut sun-dried tomatoes drained well
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ½ cup white cooking wine
- 1 cup orzo uncooked
- 2 cups chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 packed cups baby spinach rough chopped
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese shredded plus more for garnish
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Instructions
- In a medium bowl add chicken thighs with 1 tablespoon olive oil, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder and paprika then top to combine.
- In a large skillet, heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil over medium high heat. Add the seasoned chicken piece to the hot oil and cook for about 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the sun-dried tomatoes, basil, oregano and paprika to the skillet and stir to combine, cook for about 3 more minutes stirring occasionally.
- Add the minced garlic, cook for about 1 minute. Add the white wine and cook for about another minute.
- Add the uncooked orzo pasta and stir to combine, finally add the chicken stock and then bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover and cook for 10-12 minutes stirring throughout to prevent the orzo from sticking.
- Once the orzo is cooked add the cream, and Parmesan cheese. Stir and turn off the heat. Tear the baby spinach and add to the orzo, slowly stirring in, allowing the residual heat of the pasta to help wilt the spinach.
- Top with additional shredded parmesan cheese and serve.
Notes
- What can I use instead of white cooking wine? Additional chicken broth is the easiest and simplest substitute.
- Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days after cooking.
