One-Pot Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Orzo
One-Pot Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Orzo (Ready in 30 Minutes!)
If you’re looking for a cozy, creamy dinner that comes together fast and leaves you with fewer dishes, this One-Pot Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Orzo is it. Loaded with seasoned chicken, tender vegetables, and perfectly cooked orzo all smothered in a cheesy, garlicky cream sauce, it’s the kind of weeknight comfort food that feels like it took hours—but it’s ready in about 30 minutes. If you prefer using rice instead of orzo, then you are in luck! Here is my Cheesy Chicken, Broccoli and Rice recipe!
And while you are here, check out these other great recipes!
Mongolian Ground Beef and Noodles
Sheet Pan BBQ Chicken with Potatoes and Green Beans
Sausage and Sweet Potato Sheet Pan Dinner
Cheesy Chicken and Stuffing Casserole
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- One skillet, less mess: Everything cooks in one pan from start to finish.
- Quick & hearty: Done in about 30 minutes, but still feels like a full, satisfying meal.
- Customizable: Swap in other veggies or cheeses based on what you have.
- Family-approved: Creamy, cheesy, and full of flavor.
Wait… Is Orzo Rice or Pasta?
Orzo may look like rice, but it’s actually a type of small, oval-shaped pasta. It cooks faster than rice and gives a creamy texture similar to risotto, especially when simmered right in broth or water like in this dish. You can substitute with other small pasta shapes like ditalini or even rice (but note that rice will require more liquid and a longer cooking time).
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for seasoning chicken)
- Seasonings: garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon olive oil + 2 tablespoons butter, divided (for cooking)
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1 heaping tablespoon chicken bouillon powder (like Knorr)
- 2 ½ cups water
- 2 cups broccoli florets, chopped
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 cups freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions:
Start by chopping two boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs) into bite-size pieces. Place them in a bowl and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Season generously with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Toss until every piece is evenly coated.
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the seasoned chicken and cook until fully done, about 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.
In the same skillet, melt the remaining tablespoon of butter. Add the diced carrots and onion and season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook for about 7 minutes, until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
Stir in 1 cup of orzo pasta, letting it toast slightly for a minute to develop flavor. Then add in the chicken bouillon powder and 2 ½ cups of water, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan.
Stir in 2 cups of chopped broccoli. Bring everything to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet with a lid, and simmer for 11–12 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid has absorbed.
Once the orzo is tender, stir in ½ cup of heavy cream, 2 cups of freshly grated sharp cheddar, and ½ cup of Parmesan. Mix until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is creamy.
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir until everything is evenly combined and heated through.
Serve hot with garlic breadsticks, a simple salad, or just on its own!
If you do make this recipe, please leave a comment and a rating! I love hearing from you and it helps so much! Thank you!
One-Pot Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Orzo
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- 2 tbsp Salted Butter divided
- 1-2 tsp each Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Salt, Pepper and Smoked Paprika
- 2 Carrots, peeled and diced
- 1 Yellow Onion, Diced
- 6 Garlic Cloves, minced
- 1 Cup Orzo Pasta
- 1 Heapinng Tbsp Chicken Bouillon + 2 1/2 Cups water OR 2 cups of chicken broth
- 2 Cups Broccoli Florets, chopped
- 1/2 Cup Heavy Cream
- 2 Cups Freshly Grated Cheddar Cheese
- 1/2 Cup Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese
Instructions
- In a bowl, toss chicken with 1 tbsp olive oil and season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
- Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken until browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt the remaining butter. Add carrots and onion; cook 7 minutes until soft. Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute more.
- Stir in orzo and toast for 1 minute. Add bouillon and water, scraping the bottom of the pan. Stir in broccoli.
- Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for 11–12 minutes, until orzo is tender.
- Stir in cream, cheddar, and Parmesan. Mix until melted and creamy.
- Add chicken back to the pan. Stir to combine and serve hot.
Notes
Make Ahead, Storage & Freezing Tips
- Make Ahead: You can chop the veggies and season the chicken ahead of time to save prep work.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheating: Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of milk or broth to loosen the sauce.
- Freezing: This dish can be frozen, but keep in mind that creamy pasta dishes may change texture slightly after thawing. Freeze in a tightly sealed container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat as noted above.
Your printable recipe is missing the 2Tbsp butter and the 1/2 cup heavy cream. The finished dish looks amazing and I am going to be making it tonight.
Thank you for bringing that to my attention!
This meal was Absolutely Delicious!!! I will definitely be making again!!!!
I am so glad you liked it, Alissa! Thank you for the great review!
Made this last night, it was excellent! My husband said I can make it any time I want!
Great, easy recipe. Love it
This was delicious! I used thighs instead of breasts, frozen broccoli, and a million different seasonings but they worked perfectly. I did end up running out of liquid after cooking the orzo almost all the way so I had to add quite a bit more after simmering it some more and then adding the cheese and chicken. Although delicious, I gave it 4 stars because this was not a 30 minute meal. Might not be quick, but it was easy and tasty! I worked right along with your tiktok.
Do you have a special chopper for your carrots?
I just made it for my parents and it was hit!
I am so happy to hear that!