Description
An elegant Italian-American one pan dinner featuring tender bite-sized chicken breast, garlic-infused orzo pasta, and a rich Parmesan-Mozzarella cream sauce. This quick 35-minute recipe develops deep flavors through single-pan cooking, ensuring perfectly al dente orzo and juicy chicken with minimal effort and cleanup.
Ingredients
1.5 lbs chicken breast (2 large breasts), cut into bite-sized pieces
1.5 cups orzo pasta
6 cloves garlic, minced
1.5 cups heavy cream (full-fat)
0.75 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
0.5 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin for finishing)
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
Heat ovarian oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat
Sauté garlic 1 minute until fragrant
Add chicken pieces and cook 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown
Sprinkle 1/4 cup Parmesan directly into the pan (save remaining cheese for later)
Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer
Add orzo and stir to coat in broth and fond
Reduce heat to medium and simmer 12 minutes, stirring occasionally
Pour in heavy cream and stir until sauce thickens
Stir in remaining Parmesan, mozzarella, salt, and black pepper
Simmer 5 minutes until orzo is al dente and sauce coats the chicken
Finish with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil
Notes
Risoni works as an orzo substitute
Use fresh garlic for optimal flavor depth
Rotating the pan while adding broth helps deglaze the fond
Let rest 5 minutes before serving for cleaner bite-sized portions
Store leftovers in airtight containers for up to 3 days
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 25
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (12 oz total meal)
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 140mg