Marry Me Chicken Orzo
Deliciously creamy sun-dried tomato chicken orzo made with tender, protein-packed chicken simmered in a rich coconut milk tomato sauce. This satisfying one-pan meal is full of bold Italian flavor, finished with wilted spinach, Parmesan, and fresh basil for an easy, comforting dinner that’s both nourishing and family-friendly.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1½ lb chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt & pepper
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional, for heat
- 1 medium onion diced
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- ¾ cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil drained
- 1 tablespoon sun-dried tomato oil from the jar
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1 cup chicken broth bone broth for extra protein
- 1 15 oz can lite coconut milk (or heavy cream)
- Large handful of fresh spinach
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil for serving
Instructions
- Add the chicken pieces to a bowl and season with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne (if using). Toss well to evenly coat the chicken.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the oil. Once hot, add the seasoned chicken and cook for about 3 minutes per side, or until browned and mostly cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the diced onion, minced garlic, tomato paste, sun-dried tomatoes, and sun-dried tomato oil. Cook for a few minutes, stirring often, until the onions are softened and the tomato paste has deepened in color and aroma.
- Add the orzo, chicken broth, coconut milk, and the cooked chicken back into the skillet. Stir to combine, then cover and reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cook for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and the sauce has thickened.
- Stir in the spinach and grated Parmesan, allowing the spinach to wilt into the sauce. Cover briefly if needed to help steam the greens.
- Finish with fresh basil and extra Parmesan, then serve warm.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!