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Creamy Marry Me Chicken Orzo Recipe Easy Sun-Dried Tomato Dinner

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A comforting and indulgent creamy chicken and orzo dish with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and Parmesan, perfect for quick weeknight dinners or impressing guests.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup orzo pasta (about 170 g)
  • ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (oil-packed preferred, drained)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups chicken broth (preferably low sodium)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (about 50 g)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • A handful fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

Instructions

  1. Pat chicken pieces dry and season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. (5 minutes)
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add chicken in a single layer and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and nearly cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside. (8 minutes)
  3. Lower heat to medium, add remaining olive oil, then garlic and sun-dried tomatoes. Stir for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic. (2 minutes)
  4. Add orzo to the skillet, stirring to coat with oil and garlic mixture. Toast for 2 minutes until slightly golden and aromatic. (2 minutes)
  5. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a gentle boil. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Let orzo simmer uncovered until most broth is absorbed but orzo is still slightly firm, about 8-10 minutes. (10 minutes)
  6. Lower heat to medium-low and stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Stir constantly until cheese melts and sauce thickens slightly. (3-4 minutes)
  7. Return chicken pieces to skillet, nestle into sauce and orzo. Let everything warm through and chicken finish cooking if needed, about 3-5 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired. (5 minutes)
  8. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top before serving. (1 minute)

Notes

If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of broth or cream to loosen it. If too thin, simmer a bit longer uncovered. Toasting the orzo before adding broth adds nuttiness and helps keep pasta shape. Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor and melting. For dairy-free, substitute cream with coconut cream and Parmesan with nutritional yeast or omit. For gluten-free, use gluten-free orzo or quinoa.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy chicken, orzo, sun-dried tomatoes, easy dinner, quick recipe, comfort food, garlic, Parmesan, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://rowanrecipes.com/creamy-marry-me-chicken-orzo-recipe-easy-sun-dried-tomato-dinner/