This post may contain affiliate links, please see the privacy policy for details.
This Cheesy chicken broccoli orzo skillet is a simple recipe with chicken, vegetables, garlic, orzo pasta, and a cheesy sauce. It has cream and cheese for a cozy comfort food flair. This one-pot wonder is a crowd-pleaser and is sure to appeal to the whole family. Orzo pasta makes a change from spaghetti and other pasta shapes and chicken is always popular at dinner. With just one skillet it’s perfect for easy preparation and cleanup. So, if you’re looking for a simple recipe to make for dinner tonight, you’re in luck with this one!
Treat the family to this tasty, comforting dish. It’s easy to make this cheesy chicken broccoli orzo pasta dish and the chicken, broccoli, orzo, and cheese taste so good together.
Also try Italian chicken orzo, Tuscan marry me chicken pasta, chicken and dumplings, and grilled BBQ chicken salad.
Why You’ll Love It
Cozy and hearty: Comfort food dishes like this cheesy chicken broccoli orzo never get boring because they’re so satisfying and delicious.
Simple to prepare: This is an easy one pot dish, so you just have to add the ingredients in stages and, as you’re only using one pot, that means speedy cleanup afterwards!
Family friendly: The creamy cheese sauce is sure to appeal to the little ones and the juicy chicken, tender veggies and al dente pasta are also universally loved.
Chicken Broccoli and Orzo Skillet Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Chicken breasts: I like to use boneless skinless chicken. You could use chicken thighs if you prefer.
Vegetables: Broccoli, onion and garlic add color, flavor and nutrients. Feel free to use other vegetables if you prefer.
Orzo pasta: The rice-shaped grains make this pasta special. You can use another kind of pasta if you’d rather.
Heavy whipping cream: This adds an indulgent touch to the dish and, along with the sharp cheddar cheese, adds that homestyle cozy appeal. You can use less cream if you want to.
Worcestershire sauce: A dash of this adds a gorgeous umami flavor.
Cheddar cheese: Cheese makes everything more delicious… right?
How to Make Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Orzo
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Cook the chicken: Season the chicken breast and then cook it in oil and butter in a large skillet over a medium high heat. Set the cooked chicken aside.
Cook the vegetables and orzo: Add the onions and cook until tender, then add the broccoli and cook for a couple of minutes. Add the orzo and garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
Make the sauce: Add the broth, cream and Worcestershire sauce and simmer for 10 minutes.
The finishing touches: Add the cheddar cheese and chicken to the skillet and cook until the sauce is creamy and the cheese melts. Taste and add more salt and pepper if needed.
Substitutions and Variations
Gluten-free option: If you want a gluten-free version, use gluten-free orzo (this one is great!)
Another protein: You can use chicken thighs instead of boneless skinless chicken breasts or even use something else, like pork or turkey.
Extra cheesy: You could use both cheddar and parmesan cheese or another kind of shredded cheese. Anything goes – Swiss cheese, Emmentaler, mozzarella – just use your favorites.
Vegetarian version: Swap the chicken for your favorite vegetarian protein and the chicken broth for vegetable broth.
Frozen broccoli: You can use frozen broccoli in this cheesy chicken orzo skillet, although fresh broccoli is more delicious.
Rotisserie chicken: Starting off with cooked chicken saves time because you don’t have to cook your own chicken breast.
Serving Suggestions
Appetizers: Start the meal with a small portion of tuna potato salad or a burrata tomato salad.
Side dishes: Sides are optional with cheesy chicken broccoli orzo but you could have one of these Italian vegetable side dishes.
Desserts: Coconut cream poke cake or strawberry lemon cheesecake would be great afterwards.
How to Store Creamy Chicken and Orzo
Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freeze: Although you could freeze this, I don’t recommend it, as the broccoli becomes mushy and the creamy sauce just separates.
Reheat: Warm it back up in a pan on the stove or in the microwave.
Top Tips
Fresh grated cheese: Grate a block of cheddar cheese, since bagged pre shredded cheese from the store has added preservatives and starches which affect how well it melts.
Deglazing: Use white wine to deglaze the pan before adding the chicken broth for depth of flavor (deglazing just means adding the wine and then using a wooden spoon to scrape up any stuck-on bits on the skillet).
Extra liquid: You might need to add extra broth or cream if the orzo seems to absorb the cooking liquid too fast. And if you’re reheating this dish, you might need to add a splash of chicken broth if it’s dried out.
Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Orzo FAQs
Orzo is a type of pasta, shaped like rice grains. It’s made from durum wheat and semolina flour so, although it resembles rice grains, it’s a type of pasta. Orzo is used mostly in Greek cuisine but doesn’t feature in many Italian dishes.
You could cook the chicken ahead or start with a rotisserie chicken to save time. As for the orzo, if you happen to have leftover orzo or leftover rice from another meal, you can use that, adding it with the broth, cream and Worcestershire sauce and cooking for 2 minutes instead of the 10 you’d need to cook the orzo.
No, not at all. In fact, pretty much anything would work here – zucchini, mushrooms, eggplant, cauliflower, thinly sliced carrot – add whatever you want!
Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Orzo Recipe
Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Orzo
Ingredients
- 1 Pound chicken breasts, boneless skinless, diced into ½ to 1-inch cubes
- ½ Teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- ½ Teaspoon black pepper, plus more to taste
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 2 Cups broccoli, cut into bite-size florets
- 2 Cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 Cup orzo, uncooked
- 2 Cups chicken broth
- 1 Cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 Teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1½ Cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
Instructions
- Season chicken with salt and pepper in a bowl. Set aside.
- Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, or until cooked through. Set chicken aside on a plate.
- Add onions and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes, or until tender. Add broccoli and continue cooking for another 2 minutes, stirring often.
- Stir in the garlic and orzo, and cook for 30 seconds.
- Pour in chicken broth, cream, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer, and cook uncovered for 10 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and stir in the chicken and cheese until the cheese has melted and the sauce is creamy.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve immediately.
Notes
Deglazing: Use white wine to deglaze the pan before adding the chicken broth for depth of flavor (deglazing just means adding the wine and then using a wooden spoon to scrape up any stuck-on bits on the skillet).
Extra liquid: You might need to add extra broth or cream if the orzo seems to absorb the cooking liquid too fast. And if you’re reheating this dish, you might need to add a splash of chicken broth if it’s a little dry.
Nutrition
This delicious cheesy chicken broccoli orzo recipe is quick and easy to prepare and a kid-friendly dish the whole family will enjoy. It’s made using simple pantry staples and you can have it on the dinner table in just half an hour. Oh, and it’s a one skillet meal so cleanup afterwards is minimal, making this recipe a real winner if you’re looking for a new weeknight meal to try out.
Other Recipes to Try
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
This orzo dish was amazing! Super creamy and comforting, plus cleanup was a breeze.
Orzo is my favorite pasta. The cheesy sauce can’t be beat.
This was very comforting and I can see us making this often during the winter months.