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creamy orzo chicken feature

Creamy Chicken Orzo Bake

This Creamy Chicken Orzo Bake is a cozy one-pan dinner made with tender seasoned chicken thighs, mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and orzo in a rich Parmesan cream sauce. Everything bakes together until the orzo is perfectly tender and creamy, making this an easy, comforting dinner that feels a little special without a lot of extra work.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

For the chicken:

For the orzo:

  • 1 Tbsp butter
  • 8 oz (225 g) cremini mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 medium shallot finely diced
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • ⅓ cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes drained and sliced
  • 1 cup dry orzo
  • ⅓ cup dry white wine
  • 1 ¼ cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt to taste
  • 2 cups baby spinach
  • Fresh thyme for serving (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
  • Pat chicken dry and rub with olive oil. In a small bowl, mix smoked paprika, garlic powder, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Rub the seasoning all over the chicken.
  • Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for 3-4 minutes per side, until nicely browned. Transfer to a plate.
  • Reduce the heat to medium. Add butter to the skillet. Once melted, add mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until the moisture has evaporated and they're browned, about 8-10 minutes.
  • Stir in shallot and cook for a couple of minutes, until softened. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds more.
  • Add sun-dried tomatoes and orzo. Cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently, until the orzo is lightly toasted. Pour in white wine and simmer until almost completely reduced. Add chicken broth and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Reduce the heat to low. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan until smooth and combined. Give the sauce a taste and season with salt, if needed. Fold in spinach until wilted. Nestle the chicken on top of the orzo.
  • Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 12-16 minutes, or until the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) and the orzo is tender. Garnish with fresh thyme and serve.
Keyword Chicken
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