Creamy Tomato Orzo with Chicken Recipe

Introduction

This creamy tomato orzo with chicken is a comforting and flavorful one-pot meal perfect for busy weeknights. Rich tomato sauce, tender orzo, and juicy chicken come together to make a simple yet satisfying dish everyone will love.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 small onion, chopped finely
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup dry white wine
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy or whipping cream
• 1 cup uncooked orzo
• 2 cups cooked or rotisserie chicken
• 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
• 1 handful fresh basil, torn
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat the olive oil and butter in a Dutch oven or large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until softened.
2. Step 2: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Pour in the dry white wine and let it bubble gently for 30 seconds to reduce slightly.
4. Step 4: Add the tomato paste and Italian seasoning, stirring well to combine.
5. Step 5: Pour in the chicken broth, heavy cream, and uncooked orzo. Increase the heat to high and stir thoroughly to dissolve the tomato paste. When it reaches a boil, reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer, and cook uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring often to prevent sticking.
6. Step 6: Stir in the cooked chicken, freshly grated parmesan, and torn basil. Remove the pot from the heat, cover, and let sit for 3-5 minutes until the sauce thickens. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

• Use rotisserie chicken for a quick shortcut or leftover cooked chicken for convenience.
• Swap heavy cream for half-and-half to lighten the dish, though it may be less creamy.
• Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes for a subtle spicy kick.
• Fresh basil can be replaced with fresh parsley or oregano if preferred.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth or cream to loosen the sauce if it thickens too much.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Yes, substitute the butter with olive oil and use a dairy-free cream alternative such as coconut cream or cashew cream. Nutritional yeast can replace parmesan for a cheesy flavor.

What if I don’t have white wine?

You can omit the wine or replace it with an equal amount of extra chicken broth or a splash of lemon juice for brightness.

Creamy Tomato Orzo with Chicken Recipe

Pin Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 96 reviews

Creamy Tomato Orzo with Chicken is a rich and comforting one-pot meal featuring tender orzo pasta simmered in a luscious tomato and cream sauce, enhanced with savory chicken, Parmesan cheese, and fresh basil. This easy stovetop recipe combines simple ingredients for a deliciously satisfying dinner perfect for busy weeknights.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Sauté Base

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 small onion, chopped finely
• 3 cloves garlic, minced

Liquid and Seasoning

• 1/4 cup dry white wine
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy/whipping cream

Main Ingredients

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

Instructions

1. Sauté Onion: Heat olive oil and butter in a Dutch oven or large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add finely chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
2. Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for approximately 30 seconds, releasing its fragrant aroma without browning it.
3. Deglaze with Wine: Pour in the dry white wine and allow it to bubble for 30 seconds to deglaze the pan and reduce slightly.
4. Add Tomato Paste and Seasoning: Mix in the tomato paste and Italian seasoning, stirring to incorporate them evenly into the base.
5. Combine Liquids and Orzo: Add chicken broth, heavy cream, and uncooked orzo to the pot. Increase heat to high and stir thoroughly to dissolve the tomato paste.
6. Simmer the Orzo: Once the mixture reaches a boil, reduce heat to medium or medium-low to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking, until the orzo is tender and the sauce thickens.
7. Finish with Chicken and Cheese: Stir in the cooked chicken, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and torn fresh basil leaves. Remove the pot from heat.
8. Rest and Season: Cover the pot with a lid and let it rest for 3 to 5 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken. Season with salt and pepper to taste before serving.

Notes

• Using rotisserie chicken saves time but shredded cooked chicken works just as well.
• Keep stirring during simmering to prevent the orzo from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
• Adjust seasoning at the end to suit your taste preferences.
• For a lighter version, substitute cream with half-and-half or whole milk, but the sauce will be less rich.
• Fresh basil can be replaced with dried Italian herbs if fresh is unavailable.

Keywords: Creamy Tomato Orzo, chicken orzo recipe, one pot meal, Italian pasta dish, creamy pasta, quick dinner, rotisserie chicken recipe