Creamy Orzo & Chicken

Check out this creamy chicken and pasta recipe that will not fail to satisfy your taste buds. I am all about the quick recipes that can be thrown together in less than an hour. I don’t know about you but as a working mama, I try not to spend my evenings stuck in the kitchen making an elaborate meal.  Quick and easy meals are my best friends!

I don’t usually cook with Orzo pasta, but I wanted to give it a try with this recipe. My family loves anything pasta related, although this type of pasta tricked them into thinking it was rice. But that didn’t stop them from eating it up! Who doesn’t love a creamy pasta topped with chicken and plenty of grated Parmesan?

Check out the recipe below!

INGREDIENTS

• 1 lb. chicken breast, boneless & skinless
• 2 cups orzo pasta
• 2 cups half & half
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp pepper
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ onion, chopped
• 2 tbsp parsley, chopped
• 1 ½ cup parmesan cheese, grated

DIRECTIONS

1. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika.
2. Heat olive oil on medium.
3. Sear chicken for 5-7 minutes on both sides or until golden brown and fully cooked.
4. Set chicken aside.
5. In the same skillet, add onion and garlic powder. Sauté until onions are soft.
6. Pour in the orzo and sauté for 1 minute to get the pasta slightly crunchy.
7. Add half & half, chicken broth and stir.
8. Bring to a boil and then reduce to medium heat for 10 minutes, with the lid on.
9. Once pasta is soft and creamy, top with parmesan cheese.
10. Stir the chicken in with the pasta or serve on top.
11. Sprinkle parsley on top.
12. Enjoy!

SERVINGS  6

This recipe typically can yield enough for leftovers, unless it’s a huge hit with the family and they eat it all up in one sitting! The pasta turned out with just the right consistency with plenty of creamy sauce. Per the family, this recipe needs to be added to our rotation for dinners during the week. Keep watching for more recipes coming your way!