Description
This Creamy Tomato Orzo with Chicken recipe is a comforting and flavorful one-pan meal perfect for weeknight dinners. Tender chicken pieces are sautéed to perfection, then simmered with orzo pasta, a rich tomato sauce, and creamy heavy cream, creating a luscious and satisfying dish with hints of basil and optional red pepper flakes for a mild kick.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 1 pound chicken breast, diced
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Pantry
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- Sauté aromatics: In the same skillet, sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic until fragrant and softened, about 3 minutes.
- Add liquids and orzo: Add the orzo pasta, chicken broth, heavy cream, tomato sauce, dried basil, and optional crushed red pepper flakes to the skillet. Stir well and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer orzo: Cover the skillet and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
- Combine chicken: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir to combine everything evenly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve: Serve the creamy tomato orzo and chicken hot, optionally garnished with additional basil or grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.
Notes
- Use chicken thighs instead of chicken breast for a juicier texture.
- Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter version, though it will be less rich.
- Adding a handful of spinach or kale during the last few minutes of cooking can boost the dish’s nutrition.
- Parmesan cheese pairs beautifully as a topping to enhance the creamy tomato flavor.
- Adjust crushed red pepper flakes to control the heat level or omit for a milder taste.
