Description
Tender seared chicken thighs and creamy orzo simmered in a silky sun-dried tomato and Parmesan sauce, all in one pan for a cozy, crowd-pleasing weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- Chicken thighs: 4 boneless skinless, patted dry
- Orzo: 1 1/2 cups, uncooked
- Olive oil: 2 tablespoons
- Garlic: 4 cloves, minced
- Sun-dried tomatoes: 1/2 cup, chopped
- Chicken broth: 3 cups, low sodium
- Heavy cream: 1 cup
- Parmesan cheese: 1/2 cup, freshly grated
- Italian seasoning: 1 teaspoon
- Red pepper flakes: 1/4 teaspoon
- Salt: 1 teaspoon, or to taste
- Black pepper: 1/2 teaspoon, or to taste
- Fresh basil: 1/4 cup, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Season chicken: Sprinkle both sides of the chicken thighs with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Preheat pan: Set a large skillet over medium high heat and add olive oil until shimmering.
- Sear chicken: Add chicken and cook 4 to 5 minutes per side until golden. Transfer to a plate.
- Sauté aromatics: Reduce heat to medium, add garlic and sun-dried tomatoes, and cook 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant.
- Toast orzo: Stir in the orzo and cook 1 to 2 minutes, stirring, until lightly toasted.
- Add liquid: Pour in chicken broth, scraping up browned bits. Stir to distribute orzo evenly.
- Nestle chicken: Return chicken and any juices to the skillet, placing pieces into the orzo.
- Simmer: Bring to a gentle simmer, cover partially, and cook 12 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is tender and chicken is cooked through.
- Finish creamy sauce: Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan until melted and silky. Add red pepper flakes and adjust salt and pepper.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from heat, sprinkle with chopped basil, and serve hot.
Notes
- Note: If the sauce thickens while standing, add a splash of warm broth to loosen.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the smoothest, meltiest finish.
- To keep orzo from sticking, stir a few times during the simmer.
- Add lemon zest or a squeeze of juice at the end for extra brightness.
- Leftovers reheat best over low heat with a bit of broth or water.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: One-Pan Skillet
- Cuisine: American with Italian influence
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 140mg