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A spoonful of creamy chicken orzo skillet being lifted from a pan, showing the tender chicken and perfectly cooked pasta.

One-Pot Chicken Orzo (Easy 30-Minute Recipe)

This One-Pot Chicken Orzo is the perfect weeknight dinner! Juicy chicken and tender orzo pasta come together in a creamy, savory sauce in just one pan and 30 minutes. An easy, flavorful, and family-pleasing meal.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Mediterranean
Calories: 520
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1/2 tsp Salt or to taste
  • 1/4 tsp Black Pepper or to taste
  • 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1 small Onion finely chopped
  • 3 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1 tsp Dried Oregano
  • 1 1/2 cups Orzo Pasta uncooked
  • 4 cups Chicken Broth low-sodium recommended
  • 1 tbsp Lemon Juice freshly squeezed
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese freshly grated, plus more for serving
  • 2 tbsp Fresh Parsley chopped

Equipment

  • 1 Large skillet or Dutch oven
  • 1 Cutting Board
  • 1 Knife

Method
 

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Add the chicken to the pot and cook until golden brown on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside.
  2. Add the diced onion to the same pot and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and dried oregano and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Add the dry orzo pasta to the pot and stir constantly for about 1-2 minutes until it's lightly toasted. This step adds a wonderful nutty flavor to the dish.
  4. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
  5. Return the seared chicken to the pot. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  6. Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the fresh lemon juice, grated Parmesan cheese, and chopped parsley. Serve your delicious One-Pot Chicken Orzo immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan if desired.

Notes

Don't Skip Toasting the Orzo: This simple step enhances the pasta's flavor and helps it maintain a better texture.
Use Freshly Grated Parmesan: Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can prevent it from melting smoothly. Grating your own makes a huge difference in the creaminess.
Let it Rest: After stirring in the cheese, let the dish rest for a couple of minutes off the heat. This allows the sauce to thicken slightly to the perfect consistency.