Description
This one-pan creamy chicken orzo bake combines tender chicken, pasta, fresh vegetables, and melty cheese in a rich, flavorful sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, this comforting dish cooks the pasta directly in the pan for minimum effort and maximum flavor!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large chicken breasts (about 1¼ lbs or 3 cups cooked)
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken stock
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 12-16 oz orzo pasta (16 oz for premium brands, 12 oz for standard)
- 3 cups loosely packed baby spinach leaves (2-3 oz), coarsely chopped
- 2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- ⅔ cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated or shredded, divided
- 5 medium garlic cloves, minced (or ½ tsp garlic powder)
- 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice (from ½ lemon)
- 1 tsp fine sea salt, plus more for chicken
- 1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper, plus more for chicken
- ½ tsp dried oregano
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray a 9×13 casserole dish with nonstick spray or grease with butter.
- If using raw chicken, cut breasts in half lengthwise. Season both sides with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken for about 4 minutes per side until golden and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer to a cutting board, cool for 5 minutes, then dice into bite-sized pieces.
- In the prepared casserole dish, combine chicken stock, heavy cream, orzo (uncooked), diced chicken, chopped spinach, whole tomatoes, half of the mozzarella, half of the parmesan cheese, minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and oregano. Stir everything to combine thoroughly and smooth into an even layer.
- Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheeses over the top to create a cheesy crust. Bake uncovered at 375°F for 40-45 minutes. Baking time may vary depending on the type of orzo you use – check by tasting a piece of pasta for your desired tenderness. The top should be golden and bubbly when done.
- Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes after removing from oven. This resting time is important as it allows the sauce to thicken. Gently stir to combine all ingredients before serving, being careful not to burst all the tomatoes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 10 servings, about 1 cup servings
- Calories: 344 kcal
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Protein: 18g
