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Marry Me Chicken Orzo Recipe

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4.2 from 88 reviews

Marry Me Chicken Orzo is a rich, creamy one-pot meal featuring tender shredded chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and orzo pasta simmered in a luscious sauce of white wine, chicken broth, and heavy cream. This comforting dish is elevated with garlic, fresh basil, parmesan cheese, and a hint of crushed red pepper flakes, making it perfect for an impressive yet easy weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Primary Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Pasta & Liquids

  • 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine
  • 1.5 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream (or whipping cream)

Additional Ingredients

  • 2 cups cooked shredded or rotisserie chicken
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 small handful fresh basil, torn or chopped
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Sauté Aromatics and Orzo: Heat olive oil, butter, tomato paste, sun-dried tomatoes, oregano, minced garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, and uncooked orzo in a pot over medium-high heat. Once the butter has melted, cook the mixture for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently to combine the flavors and lightly toast the orzo.
  2. Deglaze and Add Liquids: Pour in the dry white wine and let it bubble for about one minute to reduce slightly. Then, stir in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to medium or medium-low to maintain a simmer, ensuring the orzo cooks evenly without sticking to the pot.
  3. Simmer Orzo: Continue cooking uncovered for about 10 minutes, stirring fairly often to prevent sticking and to help the orzo absorb the liquid. Adjust the heat as necessary; it should simmer gently rather than boil vigorously. If the pasta absorbs liquid too quickly, reduce heat or add a splash more broth or cream.
  4. Add Chicken and Cheese: Stir in the cooked shredded chicken, freshly grated parmesan cheese, and torn fresh basil. Mix thoroughly to evenly distribute the ingredients.
  5. Rest and Thicken: Remove the pot from heat and cover it. Let it sit for 3 to 5 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken and the flavors to meld. If there is still too much liquid, cover for additional time to let the orzo absorb the excess.
  6. Season and Serve: Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm and enjoy this creamy, flavorful Marry Me Chicken Orzo.

Notes

  • If the pasta is absorbing liquid too fast before it’s fully cooked, reduce the heat and/or add a splash more chicken broth or heavy cream to prevent dryness.
  • If there’s too much liquid remaining after cooking, cover the pot for a longer period off heat to let the orzo absorb the excess moisture.
  • You can substitute rotisserie chicken with any cooked shredded chicken or turkey as per availability.
  • Dry white wine can be omitted if desired; use extra chicken broth for a non-alcoholic version.

Find it online: https://flavorspath.com/marry-me-chicken-orzo-recipe/