Can I substitute the heavy cream?

Yes! Half-and-half works, or even a splash of milk with extra Parmesan for richness.

How do I store leftovers?

Keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a splash of broth or cream.

Can I use a different pasta?

You can, but orzo's small size and creamy texture make it ideal. Small pastas like ditalini or couscous could work in a pinch.

Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo - Chicken magic recipes

Description

Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo is the ultimate one-pan comfort meal, combining juicy seared chicken breasts with creamy orzo pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, garlic, and Parmesan cheese in a rich, velvety sauce.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken:

2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or 4 small)
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp Italian seasoning
2 tbsp olive oil

For the Orzo and Sauce:

3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup orzo pasta
½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
1 tbsp butter

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Instructions

Season Chicken: Pat chicken dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
Sear Chicken: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Cook chicken 5–6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp 165°F). Remove and set aside.
Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and melt the butter. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
Toast Orzo: Stir in orzo and cook 1–2 minutes until lightly golden.
Simmer: Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Make It Creamy: Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan until smooth and creamy.
Add Spinach: Stir in chopped spinach until wilted.
Combine: Return chicken to the pan, spoon sauce over the top, and simmer for 2 more minutes.
Serve: Garnish with extra Parmesan and enjoy!

Notes

Use thinly sliced chicken breasts for faster cooking.
Add mushrooms or swap spinach for kale for a twist.
To make it spicier, stir in red pepper flakes or hot sauce.
Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Category: Dinner
Method: one-pan
Cuisine: Italian-inspired

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 565 kcal
Sugar: 4 g
Sodium: 780 mg
Fat: 32 g
Saturated Fat: 14 g
Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 37 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 38 g
Cholesterol: 120 mg