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Marry Me Chicken Orzo

Creamy Marry Me Chicken Orzo for a Cozy Dinner Date

A quick and easy Marry Me Chicken Orzo recipe, ready in just 30 minutes, perfect for a cozy dinner date.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Resting Time 5 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 600

Ingredients
  

For the Sauce
  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil Can substitute with vegetable oil.
  • 1 tablespoon Butter Substitution: Margarine for dairy-free.
  • 2 tablespoons Tomato Paste Substitute: A similar amount of crushed tomatoes.
  • ½ cup Sun-Dried Tomatoes Substitute: Fresh tomatoes can be used.
  • 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano Substitute: Italian seasoning or thyme.
  • 3 cloves Garlic Fresh minced garlic is best.
  • ¼ teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes Omit for a milder flavor.
For the Orzo
  • 2 cups Uncooked Orzo Pasta Substitute: Any small pasta or gluten-free pasta.
  • ½ cup Dry White Wine Substitute: Additional broth for alcohol-free versions.
  • 4 cups Chicken Broth Low-sodium options are available.
  • 1 cup Heavy/Whipping Cream Substitute: Half-and-half or non-dairy cream alternatives.
  • 2 cups Cooked Shredded/Roasted Chicken Use store-bought rotisserie chicken for convenience.
For the Finish
  • ½ cup Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese Substitute: Pecorino Romano or nutritional yeast.
  • 1 tablespoon Fresh Basil Substitute with parsley or spinach if unavailable.
  • Salt & Pepper Adjust according to taste.

Equipment

  • large pot

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. In a large pot over medium heat, warm 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter until melted and shimmering. Add 2 tablespoons of tomato paste, ½ cup of sun-dried tomatoes, 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, 3 cloves of minced garlic, and ¼ teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fragrant and slightly caramelized.
  2. Pour in ½ cup of dry white wine and let it bubble for about 1 minute, scraping up the flavorful bits from the pot.
  3. Stir in 4 cups of chicken broth and 1 cup of heavy cream, bringing the mixture to a gentle boil.
  4. Once boiling, add 2 cups of uncooked orzo to the pot, stirring well. Reduce heat to low and let it simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes.
  5. When the orzo is al dente, gently fold in 2 cups of shredded cooked chicken and ½ cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
  6. Finally, taste and season with salt and pepper to preference. Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 600kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 35gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 700mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 400IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 150mgIron: 3mg

Notes

Maintain a gentle simmer to ensure the orzo cooks evenly. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

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