top of page

YumVerseEats

HIGH COMFORT. LOW EFFORT.

Marry Me Chicken Orzo

Creamy sun-dried tomato chicken and orzo — one pot, 30 minutes, zero cleanup regret.
The kind of dinner that makes people think you really tried.

Save Recipe
Print Recipe
easy 30 minute meal
RECIPE AT A GLANCE

15

min 

Active Time

35

min 

Total Time

4

SERVINGS

Stovetop

METHOD

Why It Works

One pan, one cleanup. Everything cooks together so you're not juggling multiple pots on a Tuesday night. It's endlessly crowd-pleasing. Picky eaters, dinner guests, leftovers the next day — this recipe handles all of it without complaint.

Quick Fixes

Orzo too thick: Add warm broth a splash at a time and stir until creamy again.

Sauce too thin: Simmer uncovered for 2–3 more minutes so the orzo can absorb more liquid.

Ingredients

—

—

1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)

—

—

1 tsp kosher salt

—

—

½ tsp black pepper

—

—

1 tsp Italian seasoning

—

—

½ tsp paprika

—

—

2 tbsp olive oil

—

—

3–4 cloves garlic, minced

—

—

½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

—

—

½ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed, drained)

—

—

1 cup dry orzo

—

—

2 cups chicken broth

—

—

½ cup heavy cream

—

—

½ cup freshly grated Parmesan

—

—

1 cup fresh spinach

—

—

½ tsp Fresh basil or parsley

How to Make It

1

Pat dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and paprika.

2

Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high. Sear chicken 4–5 minutes per side until golden. Remove to a plate (it will finish cooking later).

3

In the same pot, reduce heat to medium. Add garlic, red pepper flakes, and sun-dried tomatoes. Cook 30–60 seconds until fragrant.

4

Stir in dry orzo and toast for 1 minute.

5

Pour in chicken broth and cream. Stir, scraping up browned bits. Return chicken to the pot. Cover and simmer 10–12 minutes, stirring once or twice, until orzo is tender and chicken reaches 165°F.

6

Stir in Parmesan and spinach until wilted. Let sit 2–3 minutes to thicken.

7

Top with fresh herbs and extra Parmesan.

Store_icon.png

Store

Store in airtight container up to 4 days. Dish is best enjoyed fresh (cream sauces can separate).

Reheat_icon.png

Reheat

​

COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know before you start cooking.

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Yes. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work well. Slice them in half lengthwise for even cooking and avoid overcooking.

Can I make Marry Me Chicken Orzo ahead of time?
You can cook it up to 2 days in advance. Reheat gently with a splash of broth or cream to loosen the sauce.

Does orzo need to be cooked separately?
No. The orzo cooks directly in the broth and cream, absorbing flavor and naturally thickening the sauce.

YumVerseEats

easy 30 minute meal

Marry Me Chicken Orzo

Ingredients

—

—

1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)

—

—

1 tsp kosher salt

—

—

½ tsp black pepper

—

—

1 tsp Italian seasoning

—

—

½ tsp paprika

—

—

2 tbsp olive oil

—

—

3–4 cloves garlic, minced

—

—

½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

—

—

½ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed, drained)

—

—

1 cup dry orzo

—

—

2 cups chicken broth

—

—

½ cup heavy cream

—

—

½ cup freshly grated Parmesan

—

—

1 cup fresh spinach

—

—

½ tsp Fresh basil or parsley

Instructions

1

Pat dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and paprika.

2

Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high. Sear chicken 4–5 minutes per side until golden. Remove to a plate (it will finish cooking later).

3

In the same pot, reduce heat to medium. Add garlic, red pepper flakes, and sun-dried tomatoes. Cook 30–60 seconds until fragrant.

4

Stir in dry orzo and toast for 1 minute.

5

Pour in chicken broth and cream. Stir, scraping up browned bits. Return chicken to the pot. Cover and simmer 10–12 minutes, stirring once or twice, until orzo is tender and chicken reaches 165°F.

6

Stir in Parmesan and spinach until wilted. Let sit 2–3 minutes to thicken.

7

Top with fresh herbs and extra Parmesan.

GET 5 WEEKNIGHT DINNERS

MORE ONE-PAN FAVORITES

Gochujang Honey Chicken Bowl.jpg

Cajun Shrimp Rice Bowl with Remoulade

20
min active 
 ·
30
min total 
Gochujang Honey Chicken Bowl.jpg

Easy Vegetable Stir Fry

10
min active 
 ·
15
min total 
Gochujang Honey Chicken Bowl.jpg

Easy Chicken Skillet Dinner

15
min active 
 ·
25
min total 
Gochujang Honey Chicken Bowl.jpg

One-Pot Pasta

10
min active 
 ·
25
min total 

Avo's Tip

Avo_Whisk_Angled_transparent.png

No orzo? Ditalini, small shells, or couscous work in similar cook times.

5wknight_pdf_mockup_trans_edited_edited_edited.png

5 Weeknight Dinners.
Zero Stress.

Free printable PDF with 5 easy, comforting dinners you can

make any night of the week.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime

You Might Also Like

DINNER

One-Pot Pasta

Easy one-pot pasta with sausage, spinach, and a creamy tomato basil sauce in 30 minutes.

10
min active 
 ·
25
min total 
DINNER

Easy Lasagna Soup

One-pot lasagna soup with tender pasta, rich tomato broth, and a creamy cheese topping.

15
min active 
 ·
35
min total 
DINNER

Loaded Taco Bake

Layers of beef, cheese, and crushed chips baked into a crowd-pleasing casserole.

15
min active 
 ·
35
min total 

Your first week of dinners, free.

5 recipes, one shopping list, Sunday prep plan — instant download.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
bottom of page