This Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo is one of those dinners that feels a little fancy without requiring fancy ingredients or a fancy grocery budget. Tender chicken, creamy Parmesan orzo, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes all come together in one skillet for an easy family dinner that’s ready in about 30 minutes.
I especially love this one because the orzo cooks right in the same skillet and soaks up all that chicken broth and flavor. Add a little heavy cream and Parmesan at the end, and you get an incredibly creamy pasta without needing to make a separate sauce.
It’s cozy enough for a Sunday dinner but easy enough for a busy weeknight!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- One skillet: The chicken, orzo, and creamy sauce are all made in the same pan.
- Ready in about 30 minutes: Perfect for busy weeknights.
- Budget-friendly: Simple ingredients turn into a dinner that feels restaurant-worthy.
- Family-friendly: Creamy chicken and pasta are always an easier sell around here.
- Easy to customize: You can swap vegetables or use what you already have.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ cups dry orzo
- 2½ cups chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 3 cups baby spinach
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
How to Make Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and season with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Cook for 6–8 minutes, until browned and cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate.
- Add the diced onion to the same skillet and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.
- Add the dry orzo and stir for 1–2 minutes to lightly toast it.
- Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally so the orzo doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan.
- Once the orzo is tender, stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan, and sun-dried tomatoes.
- Add the baby spinach and cook until wilted.
- Return the chicken to the skillet and simmer everything together for another 2–3 minutes. Taste and adjust the salt and pepper before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
Don’t walk away from the orzo. Give it a stir every few minutes while it cooks. Orzo can settle on the bottom of the skillet and stick.
Sauce getting too thick? Add a splash of chicken broth or milk. The orzo will continue absorbing liquid as it sits.
Don’t like sun-dried tomatoes? You can leave them out or substitute halved cherry tomatoes.
Want more vegetables? Mushrooms would be delicious in this, or you can add extra spinach.
No heavy cream? Half-and-half can work, although the finished sauce won’t be quite as rich.
What to Serve With Tuscan Chicken Orzo
This is pretty much a complete dinner on its own, which is one reason I love it. If you want something on the side, try it with garlic bread, roasted vegetables, green beans, or a simple salad.
And definitely don’t feel like you need to make three sides for this one. Sometimes the one-skillet dinner is the dinner. 😂
How to Store Leftovers
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
The orzo will absorb more of the sauce as it sits, so when reheating, add a splash of chicken broth or milk and stir. That will help bring back the creamy consistency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo ahead of time?
You can, but I think it’s best served fresh. Orzo continues absorbing liquid after cooking, so the dish will become thicker in the refrigerator. Add a little broth or milk when reheating.
Can I use chicken thighs?
Absolutely. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are a great substitute and can sometimes be less expensive depending on what’s on sale.
Is orzo rice or pasta?
Despite looking a lot like rice, orzo is actually a small type of pasta.
Can I leave out the spinach?
Yes! You can leave it out completely or substitute another vegetable your family likes.
Can I freeze it?
You technically can, but creamy pasta dishes can change texture after freezing and thawing. For the best texture, I’d make this one fresh or keep leftovers in the refrigerator.
Budget-Friendly Tip
Before buying everything on the ingredient list, check what you already have. Garlic, broth, seasonings, Parmesan, and even frozen spinach are things you may already have tucked away.
Using what you have first is one of the easiest ways to keep the grocery bill down—and there’s no reason to buy another bottle of Italian seasoning if there are already three hiding in the cabinet. 😂
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo
Description
This Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo combines tender chicken, Parmesan, spinach and sun-dried tomatoes in an easy one-skillet dinner ready in about 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Instructions
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Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and season with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Cook for 6–8 minutes, until browned and cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate.
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Add the diced onion to the same skillet and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.
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Add the dry orzo and stir for 1–2 minutes to lightly toast it.
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Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally so the orzo doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan.
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Once the orzo is tender, stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan, and sun-dried tomatoes.
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Add the baby spinach and cook until wilted.
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Return the chicken to the skillet and simmer everything together for another 2–3 minutes. Taste and adjust the salt and pepper before serving.
