This creamy chicken orzo pasta recipe is a cozy, one-pot meal you can throw together in under an hour! With herb-flavored Boursin, crisp fresh broccoli, and a hint of fresh lemon, it's a satisfying yet effortless dinner that's packed with so much flavor. Perfect comfort food for your weekly dinner rotation!
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Don't be fooled by this orzo chicken. It's a complete meal with pasta, protein, veggies, and a rich, flavorful sauce, but it's easy and breezy to make.
One-pan dinners are a must for every home cook. The reader feedback on my Tuscan chicken bake was so positive that I wanted to do something similar but with pasta.
📖Why My Recipe Works
The Boursin cheese is flavored with garlic and herbs, so it adds oomph without having to add a bunch of extra ingredients. A total time saver!
🧾Ingredient Notes
- Chicken- I like using boneless skinless chicken thighs since they're juicier and more flavorful. You can use chicken breast for a leaner option.
- Orzo- Use regular or gluten-free orzo pasta.
- Boursin Cheese- Use the garlic and herb-flavored Boursin cheese. If not available, substitute with a mixture of goat cheese or cream cheese and minced garlic and fresh herbs.
- Onion- Use yellow or white onion.
- Broccoli- Use fresh florets for the best texture. If using frozen, thaw and pat dry to remove extra moisture. If you are short on broccoli, you can stir in fresh spinach or frozen peas at the end for extra veggies.
- Lemon- We're using both the juice and zest to add a bright, zesty flavor.
⏲️How to Make Chicken and Orzo
- Sear the chicken in a skillet over medium high heat until each side is nice and golden brown.
- Add the onions and saute until soft and translucent. Then, deglaze with a splash of chicken stock. Add the rest of the ingredients and stir well to evenly distribute.
- The broccoli and orzo should be tender but not mushy. If it's still firm after 30 minutes, add another 5 minutes.
👩🏻🍳 Expert Tip
If you're in a hurry, you can skip searing the chicken. It won't be as flavorful, but you can throw everything in a baking dish, cover it, and pop it in the oven.
More Pasta Recipes
Common Recipe Questions
Can I use a different pasta?
No, I don't recommend using other types of pasta. Orzo is just the perfect size to cook quickly and soak in all the flavors without becoming mushy.
Can I use another cheese?
Yes, you can use cream cheese, goat cheese, or crumbled feta cheese but you will need to add seasoning. You can make your own blend of add 1 Tablespoon of Italian seasoning
Did you enjoy making this recipe? Show it some love with ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and leave a comment! Hungry for more FLAVORFUL recipes?
📖 Recipe Card
One Pot Chicken Orzo Bake with Boursin
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs or breast cut into 1 inch pieces
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- ½ cup diced white onion
- 1 ½ cup uncooked orzo regular or gluten free
- 12 ounces broccoli florets uncooked
- 3 cups chicken stock
- 1 lemon zest and juice
- 5 ounce Boursin cheese broken into small pieces
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 F degrees.
- Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Heat oil over medium-high heat in a high sided oven safe skillet. Saute the chicken until browned on all sides (it will not be cooked through).1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs or breast, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- Add the onion and cook for 1-2 minutes. Pour in a splash of chicken stock, scrape up the brown bits and remove from heat.½ cup diced white onion
- Add the remaining ingredients and stir to combine. Cover and bake for 30 to 35 minutes until the broccoli is fork tender and the orzo is cooked through.1 ½ cup uncooked orzo, 12 ounces broccoli florets, 3 cups chicken stock, 1 lemon, 5 ounce Boursin cheese
betsy says
this is such an easy recipe but has so much texture and flavor