If you are looking for a one pot garlic parmesan chicken and pasta dish, look no further. This garlic parmesan chicken orzo is the type of one pot meal I love having in my meal prep rotation. It is a deliciously creamy meal your whole family will love!

Garlic Parmesan Chicken orzo is a creamy pasta dish with chicken breast, garlic, and parmesan cheese

Garlic Parmesan Orzo

I love garlic parmesan wings, so I thought “why not create an orzo dish that uses these flavors?”. My garlic parmesan wing recipe is one of my most popular recipes on my blog, and this garlic parmesan chicken and pasta nodish turns those delicious flavors into a full meal.

For the past few months I have been loving one pot chicken and orzo recipes. Using large pasta shapes can be challenging when you are trying to cook them in the same pot with meat. The meat tends to cook faster than the pasta. Orzo pasta is a great choice for this garlic parmesan chicken orzo recipe because it cooks super fast, but you still get to enjoy pasta.

Garlic and parmesan are two flavors that really compliment each other, especially when you add in a little bit of white wine. When I add wine to my recipes, I let it cook on high heat to “burn off” any of the alcohol and it lends a really nice mellow flavor to the broth. I also added chicken broth to this recipe and that is the liquid that helps the orzo cook.

Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Pasta

When you cook a one pot chicken and pasta dish, it is important to brown the chicken first, as you really want to ensure that it finishes cooking all the way through while the pasta cooks. I also think browning the chicken a little creates a better flavor. I normally brown the chicken on both sides, then I put it on a plate while I make the broth.

Since this recipe for garlic parmesan chicken orzo has the word “garlic” in it’s name, there needs to be garlic in the chicken and then also garlic in the broth. So, that is exactly what I did. You can’t name a recipe “garlic” anything and only adding in 2 cloves of garlic. I decided 5 cloves of garlic was a good amount for this one.

Once the broth is seasoned and I stir in the orzo. Then, I add the chicken on top and bring to a boil before I cover the dish to finish cooking. The orzo normally cooks in 10 minutes, so then I turn off the heat, give it a good mix, and let it rest for about 5 minutes longer with the cover on top.

Chicken and Orzo Skillet

I love making meals with orzo. I have learned that if you cut your chicken small, it cooks in the same amount of time as the orzo, which creates a convenient and delicious weeknight meal. Not to mention, when I use 1lb of orzo, we have enough food to last us for several lunches and dinners.

I normally make a one pot rice dish or one pot pasta dish each week. Then I divide it up into 8 portions and this way, we all have dinner made for one night, my wife and I each have a couple of portions to take for lunches, and our daughter will eat some for dinner another day or as a side dish to a fresh dinner I make throughout the week.

I made my first chicken and orzo skillet when I made this Chicken Parmesan Orzo recipe a couple of months ago, and this time I was ready to try something new. This Garlic Parmesan Chicken Orzo combines the flavors of garlic parmesan wings and creamy pasta.

What to Serve with Garlic Parmesan Chicken Orzo

Well, if you are a true garic lover, I would definitely suggest my Stuffed Garlic Bread, because that bread is the best garlic bread ever. Another great option would be these Parmesan Crusted Brussels Sprouts. If you are more of an air fryer type of cook, then this Air Fryer Cauliflower is for you. You can also serve a fresh green salad using one of those convenient salad kits.

How to make Garlic Parmesan Chicken Orzo

Prep the Chicken Breast: While raw, cut the chicken into 1″ pieces. Season the chicken breasts with seasoning salt. Heat up a little olive oil in a large heavy bottomed skillet (4 quarts), and add half the garlic and all of the chicken. Then sear the outside of all of the pieces on medium high heat until you see a golden color on the outside. Do not cook them all the way through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and add them to a plate to rest.
Add your Garlic and Wine: Boil the wine slightly to cook out some of the alcohol. The wine will make the broth super flavorful.
Add in the Pasta: I chose orzo for this dish because I knew it would cook as fast as my chicken. Mix your orzo around with the wine and garlic and gently cook the orzo for about 1 minutes. Then add your broth and mix. I have used boxed broth for this and also powdered broth that you combine with water, and it is delicious both ways!
Add the Chicken Breast back to the pan: Bring the pan to a boil and add your chicken on top of the orzo. No need to mix it yet. Lower the heat and cover the pan. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring once after 5 minutes.
Add Spinach and Cheese: Once your orzo and chicken are fully cooked, turn off your heat. Stir in your spinach, half and half, and cheese, and add in a little fresh basil according to your preference.

INGREDIENTS

1.5 lbs Chicken Breast cut into 1″ pieces while raw
1 tsp seasoning salt
5 cloves garlic minced
1/4 cup white wine
16 oz orzo pasta
3.5 cups chicken broth (I have used boxed broth for this and also powdered broth that you combine with water, and it is delicious both ways!)
8 oz baby spinach
1/2 cup parmesan freshly grated
1/2 cup half and half
1/8 tsp nutmeg
fresh basil optional

INSTRUCTIONS

Dice your chicken into 1″ chunks and coat in the seasoning salt.
In a large skillet over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add half of your garlic and all of your chicken. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently and lightly browning the outside of each piece of chicken. Remove chicken from the pan and set aside.
Add the wine and rest of your garlic to the pan and let it come to a slow boil. Cook for 5 minutes.
Add orzo and mix it around with the wine and garlic. Gently cook the orzo for about 1 minute. Add your broth and mix.
Bring to a boil and add chicken on top of the orzo; no need to mix it yet. Lower the heat and cover the pan. Cook for 10 – 15 minutes, stirring once after 5 minutes.
Once orzo and chicken are fully cooked, turn off the heat. Stir in the cheese, half and half, spinach, nutmeg (optional) and a little black pepper and fresh basil according to your preference. If orzo is drier than you want, add a bit of water to loosen up the consistency.