This post may contain affiliate links, please see the privacy policy for details.
This creamy Tuscan chicken orzo recipe is just the most delicious meal for comfort food lovers. The chicken comes out juicy and deeply flavored in a perfectly balanced cream, broth, and white wine sauce. My Italian chicken orzo dish tastes (and looks) like something from your favorite Italian restaurant. Except – it’s so easy to make. Creamy sun-dried tomato sauce (aka the famous marry me sauce) and hearty orzo is a winning combination. One pan Tuscan Chicken and Orzo is an easy Italian pasta that the whole family will be wild about!
This melt-in-the-mouth tender Italian chicken orzo recipe is the perfect one-pan meal that will quickly become a household favorite.
If Italian chicken and orzo are your kind of meal, also try my chicken stew, this chicken and broccoli orzo, or slow cooker chicken with wild rice.
Why You’ll Love It
Hearty and filling: With orzo and chicken, it’s a comforting meal that’s both hearty and filling.
Versatile ingredients: The chicken with orzo recipe is flexible, letting you to customize it with different vegetables, herbs and seasonings.
Quick and easy: It comes together in under an hour, ideal for a weeknight dinner.
Ingredients for Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Chicken breast: Use lean and tender chicken breast in this chicken and orzo dish.
Orzo pasta: This rice-shaped pasta provides a comforting and hearty texture. It cooks quickly and absorbs flavors well.
Tomatoes: Fresh tomatoes or canned diced tomatoes are both great.
Garlic: Use fresh garlic for the best result. You can also use garlic powder, but I recommend fresh if possible.
Bell peppers: Colorful and crunchy, bell peppers add a pop of sweetness.
Spinach: Fresh spinach is so incredibly tasty in this recipe.
Italian herbs: A blend of basil, oregano, and thyme gives the most delicious herby taste.
Chicken broth: This adds depth and a savory richness. Use a homemade or good quality store-bought chicken stock.
Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan adds a sharp, nutty flavor and a creamy texture.
How to Make Italian Chicken Orzo
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Prepare the chicken: Slice chicken breasts in half lengthwise for quicker cooking. Season lightly with kosher salt and pepper.
Sear the chicken: Sear chicken breasts in a hot skillet with olive oil. Remove and set aside.
Cook the aromatics: Add butter, shallot, garlic, and red pepper flakes to the pan. Cook until soft over medium heat.
Adding orzo and tomatoes: Stir in sun dried tomatoes and dry orzo and cook together.
Deglaze the pan: Pour in the white wine to de-glaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
Simmer together: Add fresh thyme and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Return chicken breasts to the pan. Cover and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes until the orzo and chicken are cooked and most liquid has soaked in. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
Final touches: Remove chicken breasts. Stir in heavy cream, Parmesan, spinach, basil, and lemon juice. Return chicken to the pan, garnish with fresh basil if desired. You could also slice chicken on top for presentation.
Substitutions and Variations
Chicken: Swap chicken breasts for chicken thighs or use boneless, skinless chicken tenders.
Orzo: Make it rice or couscous instead. Use gluten-free orzo for a gluten-free alternative.
Tomatoes: Fresh tomatoes or canned diced tomatoes can replace sundried tomatoes. Cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes work well.
Wine: Use chicken broth or vegetable broth instead of white wine for a non-alcoholic version. Red wine can also be used for a deeper, richer flavor.
Herbs: Replace fresh thyme with dried thyme or Italian seasoning. Experiment with rosemary or sage for a different herbaceous taste.
Cream: Swap the heavy cream for Half & Half or milk for a lighter dish. Or use a dairy-free cream alternative to make the dish dairy-free.
Cheese: Parmesan can be swapped with Pecorino Romano or Grana Padano for a similar taste. For a dairy-free version, use nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor.
Spinach: Kale or Swiss chard can be used instead of spinach. Frozen spinach can be used; just be sure to thaw and drain it well.
Seasonings: Add more red pepper flakes to taste for more or less heat. Add lemon zest for an extra citrusy twist.
Serving Suggestions
Appetizer: Dip and enjoy these arancini, or try my tomato and burrata salad.
Main: Serve this Italian chicken orzo dish with a simple side salad.
Dessert: End with this delightful creme brulee cheesecake or a no-bake Oreo and Irish cream pie.
How to Store Chicken Orzo
Store: Refrigerate Italian chicken orzo in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Freeze in a tightly sealed container or freezer bag for up to 2 months.
Thaw: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheat: Reheat on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of broth, if needed, until warmed through.
Top Tips
Ensure even cooking: Slice chicken breasts evenly to ensure they cook uniformly and stay juicy.
Prevent sticking: Stir the orzo occasionally while simmering to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
Deglaze thoroughly: Scrape up all the browned bits when deglazing the pan with white wine to incorporate extra flavor.
Watch the liquid levels: Keep an eye on the liquid levels during simmering; add more broth if necessary to avoid burning.
Adjust seasonings: Taste and adjust seasonings near the end of cooking to ensure the flavors are balanced.
Garnish fresh: Garnish with fresh basil just before serving for a burst of flavor and color.
Let it rest: Allow the dish to sit for a few minutes before serving to let the flavors meld, and the orzo absorb any remaining liquid.
Tuscan Chicken Orzo FAQs
This recipe is designed for stovetop cooking. Using a different method, like baking or slow cooking, would require adjustments to the recipe and cooking times.
If the orzo appears too dry, add a bit more chicken broth or water and stir to achieve the desired consistency.
Yes, you can make it ahead of time. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to 2 months. Reheat thoroughly before serving.
Avoid overcooking the chicken by monitoring the simmering time and checking that it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Creamy Tuscan Marry Me Chicken Orzo Recipe
Italian Chicken Orzo
Equipment
- Skillet with Lid
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 2 chicken breasts
- ½ Cup parmesan cheese, freshly shredded
- 2 Tablespoons butter, unsalted
- ½ Teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ Cup sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil
- 1½ Cups orzo
- 3 Cups spinach, fresh
- ½ Cup white wine
- 1 shallot, chopped
- 3 Cloves garlic, chopped
- 3 Cups chicken stock
- 1 Cup heavy cream
- 2 Teaspoons fresh thyme
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ¼ Cup fresh basil, sliced (optional)
- 2 Teaspoons lemon juice, fresh
Instructions
- Slice each chicken breast in half lengthwise to make them thinner, and season with a little salt and black pepper.
- Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium to high heat and then sear the chicken breasts for 1 to 2 minutes on each side.
- Remove the chicken breasts from the skillet and set to one side.
- Add the butter, garlic, shallot, and red pepper flakes to the same skillet and cook for about 5 minutes until tender.
- Next add the sundried tomatoes and orzo and cook for another minute or 2, stirring often.
- Pour in the wine to de-glaze the pan, scraping up any stuck-on browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
- Now stir in the thyme and chicken broth. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer.
- Add the chicken back into the pan and then cover and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes or until the chicken and the orzo are cooked and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Stir occasionally so the orzo doesn’t stick to the pan.
- Remove the chicken breasts, slice and set aside.
- Add the heavy cream, spinach, parmesan, basil and lemon juice and stir.
- Divide the mixture between plates or bowls, top with the chicken breast slices and garnish with fresh basil.
Notes
Prevent sticking: Stir the orzo occasionally while simmering to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
Deglaze thoroughly: Scrape up all the browned bits when deglazing the pan with white wine to incorporate extra flavor.
Watch the liquid levels: Keep an eye on the liquid levels during simmering; add more broth if necessary to avoid burning.
Adjust seasonings: Taste and adjust seasonings near the end of cooking to ensure the flavors are balanced.
Garnish fresh: Garnish with fresh basil just before serving for a burst of flavor and color.
Let it rest: Allow the dish to sit for a few minutes before serving to let the flavors meld, and the orzo absorb any remaining liquid.
Nutrition
If you love one-pot meals, this Italian chicken orzo is the dish for you. The chicken turns out tender and full of rich flavor, all nestled in a perfectly balanced sauce of cream, broth, and white wine. It tastes (and looks) like something you’d order at a top Italian restaurant, but it’s surprisingly simple to make. Plus, it’s a versatile recipe that works beautifully with extra veggies, making it a fantastic go-to base.
Other Chicken Recipes to Try
- Slow cooker Alfredo chicken is a family-style recipe everyone will love.
- This light chicken and avocado wrap is great for on-the-go munching and lunching.
- Dive into chicken parmesan subs loaded with all the best flavors.
- Lemon chicken thighs are perfectly balanced and go great with all your favorite sides.
- Chicken marsala things have the most indulgent, buttery sauce you’ve ever tried.
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 creamy Tuscan chicken orzo was like restaurant-quality at home! Such a comforting meal.
The Tuscan chicken orzo was amazing! Everyone loved the creamy sauce and tender chicken.
The Tuscan chicken orzo was a huge success! Creamy, comforting, and so satisfying.