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Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Orzo

Cheesy chicken broccoli orzo is a one-pan dinner with creamy, cheesy orzo simmered in broth and cream, then finished with tender chicken and bright green broccoli. Expect golden cheddar strings and a velvety texture after stirring in sharp cheddar and Parmesan.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 28 minutes
Total Time 38 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 650
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken
  • 1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts Cut into bite-sized pieces.
  • Salt To taste.
  • pepper To taste.
  • garlic powder To taste.
  • smoked paprika To taste.
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
Orzo and sauce
  • 4 clove garlic Minced.
  • 1.5 cup orzo pasta
  • 3 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 cup broccoli florets Cut small.
  • 1.5 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese Grated.
  • Fresh parsley For garnish.

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Cook chicken
  1. Season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook chicken for 5-6 minutes until golden and cooked through, then remove to a plate.
Simmer orzo base
  1. In the same pan, cook minced garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant, scraping up browned bits. Add orzo and toast for 1 minute, then pour in chicken broth and heavy cream and bring to a simmer, with active bubbling around the edges.
Cook orzo and broccoli
  1. Cook the orzo uncovered for 8-10 minutes, stirring often, until most liquid is absorbed and the orzo is tender but still creamy. Add broccoli florets in the last 4 minutes of cooking so they turn bright green and become just tender.
Make it cheesy
  1. Stir in shredded sharp cheddar cheese and grated Parmesan until fully melted and the orzo looks glossy and creamy. Return the cooked chicken to the pan and stir to combine; taste and adjust seasoning to your preference.
Serve
  1. Garnish the cheesy chicken broccoli orzo with fresh parsley and serve hot.

Notes

Pro tip: use enough stirring during the uncovered orzo simmer so it releases starch and turns creamy without drying out. Store leftovers in the refrigerator up to 3 days; reheat gently with a splash of chicken broth or cream. Freezing is not recommended because the cream sauce can separate. For a lighter option, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream and swap in part-skim cheese for a lower-fat version.