Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Orzo
This one-pot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Orzo is comfort food at its best—creamy, savory, and loaded with flavor. It’s quick enough for a weeknight dinner but satisfying enough to please the whole family!
Equipment
- Deep Skillet or Pot
Ingredients
Protein & Veggies
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast diced
- 2 cups broccoli florets chopped small
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 small onion diced
Grains & Dairy
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp cream cheese
Pantry & Seasoning
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt adjust to taste
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 0.25 tsp paprika
- 0.25 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a deep skillet or pot over medium heat. Add the diced chicken, season with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Cook until lightly browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pot, sauté onion and garlic until fragrant and translucent.
- Stir in the orzo and toast for 1–2 minutes to build flavor.
- Pour in chicken broth and milk, bring to a gentle simmer.
- Toss in the broccoli, cover, and cook for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is tender and liquid mostly absorbed.
- Return the chicken to the pot. Stir in the cream cheese and cheddar until everything melts into a creamy sauce.
- Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot with an extra sprinkle of cheese if you like it gooey!
Notes
You can swap in frozen broccoli or even spinach. For a spicier version, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.