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    Home » Recipes » Main Meal » Chicken and Orzo Skillet

    Published: Apr 16, 2021 by Linda Warren

    Chicken and Orzo Skillet

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Chicken and Orzo Skillet is a quick and easy dinner, made using just one skillet, and ready in 30 minutes. Moist chicken is combined with garlic, onion, tomatoes, spinach, and orzo to give you a well-rounded meal with little cleanup. Believe me, this is one meal everyone will be asking for seconds!

    Serving in white bowl on marble table with partial view of skillet and  wine bottle.

    Orzo Chicken

    I love quick and easy dinners. I don't care who you are, spending time in the kitchen after a hectic day, is not what you want to do. Am I right? Plus, if you have kids and a hungry husband they're there to remind you that they want to eat.

    I have a list of my go-to favorites, like my 30-minute Taco Pasta, Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan, and this Chicken and Orzo Skillet, that I always fall back on when in need. Which seems to be pretty often these days.

    Skillet of chicken orzo near wine bottle and serving bowl.

    What is orzo?

    I know, you're probably wondering what in the world is orzo! Orzo is actually a small cut pasta, also known as risoni, that is shaped like long grain rice. It cooks up quickly and tends to take on the flavor of whatever is cooking. Use it as pasta or as a substitute for rice in most dishes.

    Closeup of orzo and chicken in pan.

    I love the simplicity of this orzo chicken dish and, except for the orzo which can be made ahead of time, it only dirties one skillet. Hallelujah!

    It's also a relatively light dish, even with the pasta, so it's perfect for any time of year. Plus it provides both protein and a serving of vegetables for a complete meal.

    Variations & Tips

    • Had enough chicken? Switch it out for Italian sausage or even shrimp.
    • Don't like spicy? Leave out the red pepper flakes for a milder version perfect for kids.
    • Love garlic? Add as much or as little as you like.
    • Not a fan of spinach? Add chopped broccoli, zucchini, mushrooms, or asparagus.
    • You can even make it vegetarian by omitting the chicken and adding tofu or chickpeas.
    • One big tip - use freshly grated parmesan as it melts much better than packaged grated cheese. It also provides the best flavor.

    How to make Garlic Chicken and Orzo Skillet

    Prepping and cooking chicken, steps 1 and 2.
    1. Brown the onion, garlic and red pepper flakes. Season chicken with salt, pepper and Italian seasoning and add to skillet.
    2. Brown chicken until cooked through.
    Adding tomatoes and spinach to chicken mixture. Step 3.
    1. Add tomatoes and parsley to cooked chicken and simmer for 5 minutes.
    Adding spinach, orzo and cheese. Steps 4 and 5.
    1. Continue to simmer and add spinach. Cook until wilted, about 1 minute.
    2. Finish with cooked orzo and grated parmesan cheese and continue to simmer until cheese has melted.
    Pan of chicken and orzo skillet on table ready to serve.

    Ready to serve right out of the skillet. No need to dirty another dish!

    Spoonful of skillet dinner.

    Just look at all that deliciousness in one bite! This chicken and orzo is such an easy dinner and cleanup is a breeze. It's great for the whole family or just for two. It keeps in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and reheats so well no one will know it's leftovers. Enjoy!

    More easy skillet dinners

    Italian Pork Chops with tomato basil sauce.

    Chicken Tortellini Skillet with tomatoes, peas, and lots of cheese.

    One Skillet Chicken with lemon sauce

    Want more? Find more easy chicken recipes here on 2CM!

    Skillet of chicken and orzo on marble table ready to serve.

    Chicken and Orzo Skillet

    Chicken and Orzo Skillet is a quick and easy dinner, made all in one pan, and ready in 30 minutes. Bonus! There's little cleanup too!
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    Print Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 403kcal
    Author: Linda Warren

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup uncooked orzo
    • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
    • ½ cup onion, chopped
    • 4 cloves garlic, chopped or 2 teaspoons minced garlic
    • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
    • 2 chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
    • Salt & pepper to taste
    • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
    • 4 large tomatoes, chopped
    • ¼ cup parsley, chopped
    • 2 cups fresh spinach leaves
    • ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese, grated + additional for garnish

    Instructions

    • Cook orzo to al dente stage according to package directions. Drain and reserve. (Cook while preparing remainder of meal)
    • Heat a large skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat. 
    • Saute onion for about 5 minutes or until soft & translucent. 
    • Add garlic and red pepper flakes and cook another 1 minute.
    • Season chicken with salt & pepper and sprinkle with Italian seasoning. 
    • Add to skillet and cook about 5 minutes or until lightly browned and cooked through.
    • Reduce heat to medium and add tomatoes and parsley and cook 5 minutes. 
    • Add spinach and cook just until wilted, about 1 minute. Add orzo and cheese and cook until cheese is melted.
    • Add orzo and cheese and cook until cheese is melted (about 1 minute).
    • Serve with additional Parmesan on the side.

    Notes

    Variations & Tips
    • Had enough chicken? Switch it out for Italian sausage or even shrimp.
    • Don't like spicy? Leave out the red pepper flakes for a milder version perfect for kids.
    • Love garlic? Add as much or as little as you like.
    • Not a fan of spinach? Add chopped broccoli, zucchini, mushrooms, or asparagus.
    • You can even make it vegetarian by omitting the chicken and adding tofu or chickpeas.
    • One big tip - use freshly grated parmesan as it melts much better than packaged grated cheese. It also provides the best flavor.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 403kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 77mg | Sodium: 290mg | Potassium: 938mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 2885IU | Vitamin C: 29.9mg | Calcium: 163mg | Iron: 2.2mg

    This post has been updated and was first published on March 4, 2018.

    More Main Meal

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    Hey, I’m Linda, the recipe creator, photographer and cocktail lover at 2 Cookin Mamas. Here you’ll find easy recipes that are not only delicious but can get you out of the kitchen ASAP. Come and join me and let me take you on a tasty trip through your kitchen. Thanks for stopping by! Learn more about me

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