One Skillet Parmesan Chicken and Orzo

Total Time: 30 minutes

4.49 from 111 votes

One skillet Parmesan chicken and orzo. A perfect dinner that’s quick, easy and super flavorful. Pan seared chicken breasts and orzo cooked together with spinach and Parmesan for a complete dinner. Truly one of those all-in-one-dinners that just about everyone will love. 

parmesan chicken with orzo

Why You’ll Love this Parmesan Chicken Orzo Recipe

A chicken dinner that’s comforting and hearty, thanks to Parmesan cheese, tender spinach and smooth orzo, but also with a touch of acidity from the white wine and a splash of lemon juice that finishes it all off.

This one skillet dinner feels both satisfying and special, which makes this a meal that ticks all the boxes as a fast dish on a weeknight but also a wholesome meal for family dinners in the weekends…. yet can be fancy enough to impress friends on a dinner party.

I wanted to keep things on the simple side. So, once we’ve seared the chicken, we add the orzo and cook until soft. Then a few handfuls of spinach go in, together with Parmesan. In total, it all takes about 30 minutes… and you’re done!The best part? It’s light enough so everyone at your table will have plenty of room for some dessert. And the flavors are spot on.
Let me guide you through the recipe with this step-by-step VIDEO.

parmesan chicken with orzo

Helpful Tips

  • If you want to keep the dish extra healthy, swap the orzo for quinoa or farro, both should have similar cooking times.
  • Not a fan of spinach? Use broccoli or sun-dried tomatoes.

How to store chicken with parmesan orzo

  • Fridge: Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
  • Freezer: It can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
one skillet parmesan chicken and orzo
4.5 from 111 votes

One Skillet Parmesan Chicken and Orzo

Quick, easy, and bursting with flavor! Pan-seared chicken breasts and orzo combined with spinach and Parmesan create a delightful all-in-one dinner loved by just about everyone.

Prep 5 minutes
Cook 25 minutes
Total 30 minutes
Servings 2
Calories 688

Ingredients 
 

  • ½ cup orzo pasta
  • 2 chicken fillets
  • 3.5 ounces spinach
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp salted butter
  • 1 shallot - thinly sliced
  • 2 garlic cloves - minced (more if you love garlic)
  • ¼ cup dry white wine
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 ½ cups low sodium chicken broth - more if needed
  • ½ tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • salt - to taste
  • black pepper - to taste

Instructions 

  • Season the chicken with salt, pepper, smoked paprika and cayenne pepper.
  • Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the chicken and sear on both sides until golden and cooked through, about 8 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the skillet. Transfer to a clean plate and cover to keep warm.
  • Reduce heat to low, add shallot and garlic. Cook until fragrant and softened, about 2 minutes. Increase the heat, add white wine, simmer for 1 minute. Stir in the orzo. Add chicken broth and lemon juice. Bring to a boil, while stirring constantly. Turn down the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally for 10-15 minutes or until the orzo is soft.
  • Add the parmesan cheese and spinach, stir until the spinach is wilted. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Add more broth if needed, the orzo should be sticky and creamy, not dry. Return the chicken and any accumulated juices to the skillet. Serve. Enjoy!

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 688kcalCarbohydrates: 41gProtein: 36gFat: 41gSaturated Fat: 14gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 17gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 148mgSodium: 669mgPotassium: 908mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 5833IUVitamin C: 19mgCalcium: 312mgIron: 4mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was below!


Comments

28 responses to “One Skillet Parmesan Chicken and Orzo”

  1. Jessica Avatar
    Jessica

    Just made this tonight and wow!! It’s one of the most delicious things I’ve ever made. Thank you for this recipe! It was really simple and I made it without the wine (subbed extra chicken broth) because I didn’t have any but it is excellent. I like that it’s all one pot too.

    1. I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for giving it a try!

  2. Cyndi Mayers Avatar
    Cyndi Mayers

    I also enjoyed this dish because simple dinners really is where it’s at . Absolutely 💯 fabulous.

    1. Love hearing this! Thank you so much for giving it a try!

  3. A “keeper” for sure! I substituted chicken broth for the white wine because I didn’t have any wine in the house. Other than that, I followed the recipe as written. Simple AND delicious!

    1. That’s so nice to hear! Thank you for giving it a try!

  4. Vanessa Avatar
    Vanessa

    Could you please clarify the amount of chicken broth? 1/5 cup isn’t equal to 350 ml. Thanks!

    1. hi! thank you for noticing. The recipe is fixed, I’m sorry for the confusion. Hope you love this one!

  5. Joel Avatar
    Joel

    5 stars
    This was easy, fast, and delicious!!

  6. Just got done making this & how easy was that! It is just a tad too salty for me so I’ll have to find a way to cut back on that. It’s to be expected with the cheese. Maybe next time unsalted butter & low sodium broth. Great recipe.

    1. Fantastic ! I’m so thrilled that you enjoyed this recipe, thanks a lot for giving it a try!

  7. Tess Avatar
    Tess

    Can I omit the parm? I have a dairy allergy and can’t have it, do you think it would still taste decent without it?

    1. Hi, you can omit the parmesan. hope you love it!

  8. Nyco Avatar
    Nyco

    5 stars
    Absolutely delicious 🥰😋. Made a few tweaks. Had kale instead of spinach.

  9. Mo Kirk Avatar
    Mo Kirk

    Delicious but in the ingredients you don’t say how much orzo. I estimated and did not put enough. Probably a typo but just letting you know.

    1. Hi, it’s the first item on the ingredient list. Happy cooking!

  10. Samantha Avatar
    Samantha

    5 stars
    This was really good , 16 year old who can sometimes be picky loved it ! I’m a wimp with spice but the kick was good !

  11. Jennifer Fritz Avatar
    Jennifer Fritz

    5 stars
    This dish was wonderful! super easy to make and great for a week night meal- delicious

  12. Kate Avatar
    Kate

    5 stars
    I tripled the recipe for 4 people and there was enough left over for 1 more meal. I cut the cayenne to 1/3 of the recipe which made it nice without overwhelming. Everyone loved it!

  13. Mary Lou Rahde Avatar
    Mary Lou Rahde

    5 stars
    This is just delicious. Easy to make and the flavor was sooo good!

  14. Hi there! Rest recipe. If making this for 5 people, how much time would you add on?

    1. Hi! The cooking time for the orzo remains the same. For the chicken fillets, you can cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding the skillet. This might extend your prep time by approximately 5 minutes. Enjoy the recipe!

  15. Sharon Hansen Avatar
    Sharon Hansen

    5 stars
    My husband said it was pretty good and I should make it again.

    1. Thanks Sharon! SO glad you both enjoyed it!

  16. Stacey Avatar
    Stacey

    5 stars
    I made this tonight and my entire family loved it! I followed the recipe as written and was so pleased with how easy and full of flavor it was! This will be on our regular rotation!!

    1. So glad you enjoyed Stacey! Thank you for giving this recipe a try!

  17. Laura Avatar
    Laura

    5 stars
    I really enjoyed your recipe and my husband liked it, as well. I made it according to your directions except that I used finely diced onion as I did not have a shallot.

    1. That’s so nice to hear Laura! Thank you for your comment and for giving this recipe a try!

4.49 from 111 votes (102 ratings without comment)

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