Description
A creamy, one-pan chicken and orzo dish that reheats perfectly, making it an ideal meal prep recipe for busy weeks. It features sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and spinach for rich flavor that deepens over time.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- Salt and black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon oil from sun-dried tomato jar
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil), chopped
- 4–5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 8 oz orzo pasta
- 2–3 cups fresh spinach
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Prep ingredients: Chop sun-dried tomatoes, mince garlic, grate Parmesan, and measure broth and cream.
- Heat oil from the sun-dried tomato jar in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken thighs with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Cook chicken undisturbed for 4-5 minutes until golden, flip, and cook another 4-5 minutes until internal temp reaches 165°F. Remove to a plate and let rest.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes to the same pan; sauté for 30-60 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up brown bits. Simmer for 2 minutes.
- Add heavy cream and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
- Stir in orzo pasta and Parmesan cheese. Add enough water or broth to just cover the pasta (about 1.5 cups). Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- Remove from heat. Stir in fresh spinach until wilted. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Chop rested chicken into bite-sized pieces. Divide chicken and orzo mixture among four containers. Cool completely before refrigerating.
Notes
Do not freeze this dish as the cream sauce will separate. Cool food completely before covering to prevent condensation and sogginess. Orzo continues to absorb liquid, so cook it slightly under al dente. Reheat gently with a splash of liquid if needed.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 container (approx.
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 800
- Fat: 32
- Saturated Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 55
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 35
Keywords: meal prep, chicken orzo, marry me chicken, one pan dinner, creamy pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, easy dinner, batch cooking