Description
This Dump and Bake Chicken Orzo Bake is an easy one-pan dinner made with tender shredded chicken, uncooked orzo, juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy Boursin cheese, spinach, and Parmesan. Simply mix everything together, bake, and enjoy a comforting family meal with minimal prep and cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 heaping cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken, leftovers, or cooked chicken breast)
- 2 cups uncooked orzo pasta
- 2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
- 1 (5.3-ounce) package Boursin Garlic & Fine Herbs cheese
- 3 ounces fresh spinach, chopped
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Splash of heavy cream (optional)
- 1 cup mozzarella balls (optional)
- Chopped fresh parsley or basil, lemon juice, and extra Parmesan for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Add the shredded chicken, uncooked orzo, cherry tomatoes, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to the baking dish. Stir well to combine.
- Place the Boursin cheese in the center of the casserole.
- Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove the foil and stir until the Boursin cheese is fully melted into the sauce.
- Stir in the chopped spinach and grated Parmesan cheese.
- For an extra creamy casserole, stir in a splash of heavy cream if desired.
- Sprinkle the mozzarella balls over the top, if using.
- Bake uncovered for another 5–10 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and the cheese is melted.
- Let the casserole rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil, a squeeze of lemon juice, and extra Parmesan if desired.
Notes
- Rotisserie chicken makes this recipe extra quick and convenient.
- Freshly grated Parmesan melts more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese.
- Taste before adding extra salt, since broth and rotisserie chicken can vary in sodium.
- If the casserole thickens while resting, stir in a splash of warm chicken broth or cream before serving.
- Leftovers keep well for meal prep and taste even better the next day.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 510 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg