Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Orzo
Treat the family to this tasty, comforting dish. It's easy to make this cheesy chicken broccoli orzo pasta skillet and the chicken, broccoli, orzo, and cheese taste so good together.
Servings: 4
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
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 a little dry.
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
Calories: 715kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 43g | Fat: 43g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 185mg | Sodium: 1193mg | Potassium: 825mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1628IU | Vitamin C: 44mg | Calcium: 402mg | Iron: 2mg
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