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Marry Me Chicken Orzo may have a playful name, but there is nothing funny about the flavors this dish brings. Packed with bursts of flavor like sundried tomatoes, garlic, parmesan, and fresh basil, Marry me chicken orzo can be made in one pan and in less than 30 minutes.
Better yet, this comforting dish is healthy and delicious. Creamy garlic sauce thickened with parmesan cheese, hints of white wine, and chicken chunks will make your loved ones very happy.
Put this one on your weekly rotation because not only is it delicious, but it is also easy to clean up and quick! Perhaps, add a few handfuls of fresh spinach for an extra kick. Mangia Bene!
Have you fallen in love with the “Marry Me” trend? If you have I hope you’ll check out my marry me chicken pasta, marry me chicken soup, and marry me chicken tortellini, If you’re not in the marry me mood but want a simple one pot chicken meal, I hope you’ll try my one pot chicken and rice!
MARRY ME CHICKEN ORZO INGREDIENTS
- Oil From A Sun-Dried Tomato Jar: This flavored oil is so good right out of the jar. I combine it with butter to create a tasty base for this dish.
- Butter: Unsalted, for sautéing the shallots and garlic.
- Shallots: This little gem packs so much flavor, tasting like a combination of red onion and garlic.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic adds so much flavor.
- Orzo: These are little pasta the size of fat rice. They cook quickly and will soak up all the yummy goodness of the sauce.
- Tomato Paste: Concentrated tomato flavor is a must for this recipe.
- Italian seasoning: The ideal mix of Italian spices.
- Salt + Black pepper: Table salt and freshly cracked black pepper
- Sugar: Just a pinch to balance flavors.
- Dry White Wine: When reduced, white wine gives off a great flavor. You can use any dry white wine.
- Low-Sodium Chicken Broth: I like low-sodium broth. You can always adjust the salt later.
- Heavy whipping cream: This is the base for the cream sauce. You may substitute with coconut milk.
- Petite Diced Tomatoes: With juice, these tomatoes, combined with the tomato paste, will give the dish that deep tomato flavor we crave.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes: These little packages of flavor take the dish to flavor town. Make sure you buy them packed in oil, which we use to sauté the garlic and shallots.
- Cooked Chicken: You can buy roasted chicken or cook up cubed chicken breast.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese: Parmesan adds a salty, nutty flavor to the sauce and thickens it for a rich result.
- Fresh Basil: Stack the leaves, roll them up, and then julienne for the easiest way to do the job. The basil will brighten up this dish.
ONE PAN MARRY ME CHICKEN ORZO TIPS
- Cooking the Orzo: Watch the orzo as it cooks; it can quickly go from perfectly al dente to overcooked.
- Keep It Bright: Cut and add the julienned basil right before serving to preserve its fresh flavor and bright color.
- Let It Do It’s Thing: This tasty dish comes together quickly. Not much chopping is involved. The trick is to be patient and let each ingredient fully incorporate into the dish. Using pre-cooked roasted chicken is definitely a shortcut that will cut down on prep time.
- Up The Nutritional Ante: If you like, add a couple of large handfuls of fresh spinach during Step 4. It will wilt when heated. Stir and incorporate. A little more veggie is always a good choice!
- Make It Creamier: When the recipe is complete, feel free to adjust the creaminess by adding more cream. Add it slowly, just a little at a time, so you don’t inadvertently make it soup.
STORING + FREEZING + MAKE-AHEAD
- How Long Can You Keep This in The Fridge? Once cooked, your marry me creamy chicken orzo will last up to three days in the fridge.
- Can You Freeze This? I do not recommend freezing. This dish is meant to be made and served immediately.
- Make-Ahead: Simply warm in the microwave oven or on the stovetop. You may need to add chicken broth to loosen the pasta.
- Food Safety: If you’d like more info on food safety check out these links for refrigeration and freezing.
SERVING RECOMMENDATIONS
This can be perfectly paired with mashed potatoes or garlic bread! Vegetable side dishes like sauteed asparagus, roasted green beans, roasted carrots and parsnips, and roasted broccoli.
HOW TO MAKE MARRY ME CHICKEN ORZO
- Saute the shallots.
- Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Stir in the orzo, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper, and a pinch of sugar.
- Continue to cook and stir constantly.
- Add the wine and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, stir in the chicken broth, whipping cream, diced tomatoes, and sun-dried tomatoes.
- Simmer gently uncovered.
- Stir in the cooked chicken, and basil.
- Add Parmesan and stir.
- Remove from the skillet and serve.
***See the full instructions below.
MORE EASY ONE-PAN RECIPES
- One Pan Chicken Tortellini Alfredo
- One Pan Swamp Cabbage
- One Pan Gnocchi and Sausage
- Sausage And Rice
- One Pot Burrito Bowl
- Cream Of Mushroom Chicken
- Cabbage Roll Skillet
- Cajun Shrimp
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Marry Me Chicken Orzo
Marry me chicken orzo is packed with bursts of flavor like sundried tomatoes, garlic, parmesan, and fresh basil. It's a one-pan 30-minute meal!
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons oil from sun dried tomatoes jar
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/3 cup shallots, minced
- 1 heaping tablespoon garlic, minced
- 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
- 1 1/2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 3 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- pinch sugar
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can low sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 (15 ounce) can petite diced tomatoes, including juice
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained
- 3 cups cooked chicken
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup basil, julienned
Instructions
- Heat the oil (2 tablespoons) in a 12-inch skillet with a tight-fitting lid, from the sundried tomatoes and butter (1 tablespoon) over medium heat. Add shallots (1/3 cup) and sauté, stirring often, until translucent. Stir in the garlic (1 heaping tablespoon) and continue to cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Stir in orzo (1 cup), tomato paste (1 1/2 tablespoons), Italian seasoning (3 teaspoons), salt (1/2 teaspoon), pepper (1/2 teaspoon), pinch of sugar, then continue to cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Add the wine (1/2 cup) and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, stir in the chicken broth (1 can), whipping cream (1 cup), diced tomatoes (1 can), and sun-dried tomatoes (1/2 cup), and simmer gently, uncovered, to allow the pasta to cook. (We don't want the liquid to evaporate before the pasta cooks.)
- Stir in the cooked chicken (3 cups), Parmesan (1/2 cup), and basil (1/2 cup).
- Remove the skillet from the heat source, cover it, and let it sit until the sauce has thickened to your liking. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve!
Notes
- Cooking the Orzo: Watch the orzo as it cooks; it can quickly go from perfectly al dente to overcooked.
- Keep It Bright: Cut and add the julienned basil right before serving to preserve its fresh flavor and bright color.
- Let It Do It’s Thing: This tasty dish comes together quickly. Not much chopping is involved. The trick is to be patient and let each ingredient fully incorporate into the dish. Using pre-cooked roasted chicken is definitely a shortcut that will cut down on prep time.
- Up The Nutritional Ante: If you like, add a couple of large handfuls of fresh spinach during Step 4. It will wilt when heated. Stir and incorporate. A little more veggie is always a good choice!
- Make It Creamier: When the recipe is complete, feel free to adjust the creaminess by adding more cream. Add it slowly, just a little at a time, so you don’t inadvertently make it soup.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 746kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 44g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 164mg | Sodium: 886mg | Potassium: 1572mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 1835IU | Vitamin C: 27mg | Calcium: 273mg | Iron: 6mg
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I made this last night, it was sooooo good!
Yaaay! That’s great, Angely. Thanks for the positive feedback and 5-star rating!!