This One Pan Marry Me Chicken Orzo is a creamy, flavorful dinner that comes together in just one skillet. With tender chicken, rich sun-dried tomatoes, and silky orzo all cooked in a luscious Parmesan sauce, it’s the kind of dish that might just make someone fall in love with you—hence the name!
The first time I made this recipe, my family couldn’t stop raving about it. It’s a weeknight wonder that feels fancy enough for date night but is simple enough for a busy Tuesday. Plus, with only one pan to clean, it’s a win-win all around.
What’s Inside This Recipe?
Ingredients
This simple, one-pan Marry Me Chicken Orzo uses everyday ingredients for big flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into cubes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4–5 cloves garlic, mashed
- ¾ cup sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil and drained
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 cup orzo
- 2 ¾ cups chicken broth (or water)
- ¾ cup full-fat coconut milk or heavy cream
- 2 large handfuls fresh spinach
- ¾ cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
You’ll also need a large skillet with a lid to make this recipe.
How to Make One Pan Marry Me Chicken Orzo
This dish is easy to pull together and perfect for home cooks of all skill levels. Follow these simple steps:
1. Prepare the chicken
Pat the chicken breast cubes dry with a paper towel. This helps them brown better. Set the chicken aside while you heat the skillet.
2. Sauté the chicken
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken cubes. Cook for 2–3 minutes, letting the edges of the chicken start to cook.
3. Build the flavor
Add the sun-dried tomatoes, mashed garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, kosher salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir everything together and cook for 3–4 more minutes. The sun-dried tomatoes will infuse the chicken with a rich, tangy flavor.
4. Cook the orzo
Pour the orzo and chicken broth into the skillet. Stir to combine, ensuring the orzo is submerged. Reduce the heat to medium, cover the skillet, and let it cook for about 12 minutes. Stir every few minutes to prevent the orzo from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
5. Add the creamy finish
Once the orzo is tender, stir in the coconut milk (or heavy cream) and fresh spinach. Cook for another 1–2 minutes until the spinach wilts and the sauce is creamy.
6. Add Parmesan
Sprinkle the freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the skillet and stir it in until melted and incorporated. This adds a salty, nutty richness to the dish.
7. Serve and enjoy
Remove the skillet from the heat and serve your One Pan Marry Me Chicken Orzo immediately. It’s perfect as is, or you can garnish with extra Parmesan or fresh basil for a little something extra.
How to Serve
- This dish is hearty enough to stand alone, but it also pairs beautifully with a fresh side salad or garlic bread.
- For a Mediterranean twist, serve it alongside roasted vegetables or a light cucumber-tomato salad.
Storing and Enjoying Leftovers
- If you have leftovers (lucky you!), let them cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To reheat, add a splash of chicken broth or water to loosen the sauce, then warm gently in a skillet over medium heat.
- You can also reheat in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until warmed through.
Top Tips for Customizing Your One Pan Marry Me Chicken Orzo
- Swap the protein: If you don’t have chicken breast, chicken thighs work just as well. You could even use shrimp or turkey for a twist.
- Add veggies: Feel free to toss in extra vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, or peas. Just add them when you stir in the spinach for a burst of color and nutrition.
- Make it dairy-free: Use full-fat coconut milk instead of heavy cream and skip the Parmesan for a creamy, dairy-free version.
- Spice it up: If you like heat, sprinkle in some red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne when adding the spices.
Your Questions About One Pan Marry Me Chicken Orzo Answered
What is orzo?
Orzo is a small, rice-shaped pasta that’s perfect for one-pan dishes. It absorbs flavors like a dream and cooks quickly, making it a great choice for busy weeknights.
Can I use a different pasta?
You can substitute orzo with other small pasta shapes like ditalini or pearl couscous. Just adjust the cooking time as needed.
Can I make this ahead of time?
This dish is best enjoyed fresh, but you can prep the ingredients (like cubing the chicken and draining the sun-dried tomatoes) ahead of time to save a few minutes.
What can I use instead of sun-dried tomatoes?
If you’re not a fan of sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers or cherry tomatoes make great alternatives.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Orzo is not gluten-free, but you can use gluten-free orzo or a similar pasta alternative to make this recipe suitable for gluten-free diets.
Creamy, dreamy, and made in just one pan!
I hope you love this creamy, dreamy One Pan Marry Me Chicken Orzo as much as my family does! It’s the perfect combination of comfort food and gourmet flair, with minimal cleanup to boot.
If you try this recipe, let me know how it turns out! I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. Don’t forget to share your creations on social media and tag WandaRecipes.com—I can’t wait to see your take on this dish.
Looking for more one-pan meals? Check out my other recipes for One Pan Chicken Meatballs with Orzo or Mediterranean-Style Chicken Orzo for more inspiration!
Marry Me Chicken Orzo
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into cubes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 –5 cloves garlic mashed
- ¾ cup sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil and drained
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 cup orzo
- 2 ¾ cups chicken broth or water
- ¾ cup full-fat coconut milk or heavy cream
- 2 large handfuls fresh spinach
- ¾ cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
Instructions
Prepare the chicken
- Pat the chicken breast cubes dry with a paper towel. This helps them brown better. Set the chicken aside while you heat the skillet.
Sauté the chicken
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken cubes. Cook for 2–3 minutes, letting the edges of the chicken start to cook.
Build the flavor
- Add the sun-dried tomatoes, mashed garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, kosher salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir everything together and cook for 3–4 more minutes. The sun-dried tomatoes will infuse the chicken with a rich, tangy flavor.
Cook the orzo
- Pour the orzo and chicken broth into the skillet. Stir to combine, ensuring the orzo is submerged. Reduce the heat to medium, cover the skillet, and let it cook for about 12 minutes. Stir every few minutes to prevent the orzo from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
Add the creamy finish
- Once the orzo is tender, stir in the coconut milk (or heavy cream) and fresh spinach. Cook for another 1–2 minutes until the spinach wilts and the sauce is creamy.
Add Parmesan
- Sprinkle the freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the skillet and stir it in until melted and incorporated. This adds a salty, nutty richness to the dish.
Serve and enjoy
- Remove the skillet from the heat and serve your One Pan Marry Me Chicken Orzo immediately. It’s perfect as is, or you can garnish with extra Parmesan or fresh basil for a little something extra.
