One Pot Creamy Chicken Orzo

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Another epic one pot made from chicken mince, pan-fried with onion then cooked in a herby tomato and cream sauce with orzo and spinach.

A large pot of creamy tomato and spinach risotto sits on a striped cloth, with a spoon resting inside the pot.

This One Pot Creamy Chicken Orzo is the ultimate one-pan dinner for busy weeknights. Made with chicken mince, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach and plenty of cheese, it's packed with flavour while still being easy enough to get on the table in under 30 minutes. The orzo cooks directly in the sauce, soaking up all the delicious flavours and creating a rich, comforting meal with minimal dishes. If this is a bit of you, you might also like our One Pot Chorizo, Prawn and Pea Orzo.

Ingredient notes:

Ingredients for a recipe on a wooden surface, including spinach, tomato cans, cream, chicken mince, rice, garlic, Italian seasoning, cheese, onion, a stock cube, and sun-dried tomatoes.

Mince: One of the leaner and more affordable mince varieties, chicken mince cooks easily and absorbs all the yummy flavours from the sauce.
Sun-dried tomatoes: Bursting with taste, sun-dried tomatoes are an excellent way to add depth of flavour to any dish.
Orzo: One of the smaller short cut pastas, orzo cooks quickly in the sauce.

Note: Scroll to the recipe card for the ingredients, quantities and the full method.

A woman in a black shirt smiles while holding a large pot filled with a creamy tomato-based rice dish topped with chopped herbs in a bright, modern kitchen.

Step by step instructions:

Heat a large non-stick frying pan over a low heat. Add the oil and onion and gently sauté for a few minutes, add the mince and cook until it is starting to brown. Stir in the garlic, Italian herbs and sun dried tomatoes.

Ground meat cooking in a skillet with chopped onions, tomato paste, minced garlic, and dried herbs added on top.

A pan filled with a simmering mixture of ground meat, rice, diced tomatoes, and sauce on a stovetop.

Pour in the orzo and mix to combine. Cook for two minutes to toast the orzo. Dissolve the stock cubes in the boiling water. Pour into the pan to deglaze it then add the can of tomatoes and mix to combine.

A pan filled with cooked orzo, spinach, chopped tomatoes, and pieces of chicken in a tomato-based sauce.

A skillet of cooked orzo with spinach, tomatoes, and chicken, with cream being poured over the mixture.

Simmer on a low heat. Keep stirring to prevent the orzo from sticking to the bottom of the pan, until most of the liquid has absorbed and the orzo is almost cooked. Add the baby spinach and stir in until wilted.

A creamy rice dish with spinach, tomatoes, and chicken is being stirred in a pan with a black spatula.

A pan of creamy tomato and spinach risotto sits on a wooden table, with a spoon lifting a portion and melted cheese stretching from the pan.

Once the orzo is al dente. Stir in the cream then add the cheese, season to taste with salt and pepper and stir to combine. Garnish with herbs, then serve immediately.

A bowl of creamy tomato risotto garnished with herbs sits on a white table, with a pan of risotto and a serving spoon in the background.

Recipe FAQs:

What cheese works best?

I used pre-grated Italian blend cheese. Feel free to use your favourite from Parmesan to Edam or Colby.

What is orzo?

Orzo is a short cut type of pasta. It is also known as risoni. Although it looks like rice, it is definitely pasta, made from durum wheat, semolina and water.

Why is my orzo still firm?

Orzo can vary slightly between brands. If it isn't tender once the liquid has mostly absorbed, simply add an extra splash of boiling water and continue cooking for a few more minutes until it reaches your preferred texture.

Storage:

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, add a splash of water, milk or cream and warm gently in the microwave or on the stovetop, stirring occasionally until heated through. This dish can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Top tips:

Keep stirring while the orzo cooks to stop it sticking to the bottom of the pan.
If the mixture becomes too thick before the orzo is cooked, add an extra splash of hot water.
Add extra vegetables such as grated zucchini, mushrooms or diced capsicum for a nutrient boost.

Related Recipes:

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One Pot Creamy Chicken Orzo

Yield: Serves 4

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Another epic one pot made from chicken mince pan fried with onion then cooked in a herby tomato and cream sauce with orzo and spinach.

Ingredients

1 tsp oil
1 onion, finely diced
500g chicken mince
1 tsp dried Italian herbs
1 Tbsp crushed garlic
2 Tbsp sun-dried tomatoes, finely chopped
400g orzo pasta
2 chicken stock cubes
500ml boiling water
1 x 400g can crushed tomatoes
70g baby spinach
125ml cream
100g grated cheese

Instructions

Heat a large non-stick frying pan over a low heat. Add the oil and onion and gently sauté for a few minutes, add the mince and cook until it is starting to brown. Stir in the garlic, Italian herbs and sun dried tomatoes.
Pour in the orzo and mix to combine. Cook for two minutes to toast the orzo.
Dissolve the stock cubes in the boiling water. Pour into the pan to deglaze it then add the can of tomatoes and mix to combine.
Simmer on a low heat. Keep stirring to prevent the orzo from sticking to the bottom of the pan, until most of the liquid has absorbed and the orzo is almost cooked. Add the baby spinach and stir in until wilted.
Once the orzo is al dente. Stir in the cream then add the cheese, season to taste with salt and pepper and stir to combine.
Garnish with herbs, then serve immediately.

Notes

Keep stirring while the orzo cooks to stop it sticking to the bottom of the pan.

If the mixture becomes too thick before the orzo is cooked, add an extra splash of hot water.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 726Total Fat: 31gSaturated Fat: 12gUnsaturated Fat: 20gCholesterol: 151mgSodium: 506mgCarbohydrates: 58gFiber: 4gSugar: 7gProtein: 48g

Nutritional values are approximate. Please use your own calculations if you require a special diet.

Thank you for checking out this recipe. I hope you enjoy making and eating it! If you have any questions, queries or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below.
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Vanya