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Monterey Chicken One Pan Orzo Recipe

Monterey Chicken One Pan Orzo Recipe
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★★★★★

4.8 from 15 reviews

Monterey Chicken One Pan Orzo is a creamy, comforting casserole combining tender rotisserie chicken, fresh spinach, and orzo pasta baked in a flavorful creamy sauce with Monterey Jack cheese and crispy fried onions on top. This easy-to-make dish is perfect for a wholesome weeknight dinner or potluck gathering, requiring minimal prep and one pan for baking and serving.

Ingredients

Scale

Sauce and Base

  • 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken with herbs
  • 16 oz container sour cream
  • 2.5 cups chicken stock
  • 5 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon all-purpose seasoning (see notes)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly cracked pepper

Main Ingredients

  • 3 cups fresh spinach leaves, torn (or 1 – 10 oz box frozen chopped spinach, thawed)
  • 16 oz dry orzo pasta
  • 3 cups Monterey Jack cheese, freshly grated
  • 2 cups rotisserie chicken, shredded or chopped

Topping

  • 1 can (6 oz) French’s crispy fried onions

Instructions

  1. Prepare the baking dish: Grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray or butter. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s hot and ready once your dish is assembled.
  2. Make the creamy sauce: In the casserole dish, add the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and chicken stock. Mix in the minced garlic, all-purpose seasoning, salt, and freshly cracked pepper. Whisk thoroughly until you achieve a smooth, creamy consistency with no lumps.
  3. Incorporate main ingredients: Add the torn fresh spinach (or thawed frozen spinach), shredded rotisserie chicken, half of the grated Monterey Jack cheese, and the dry orzo pasta to the dish. Whisk everything together gently but thoroughly to evenly distribute the ingredients and ensure the orzo is well mixed into the creamy liquid.
  4. Top the casserole: Sprinkle the remaining Monterey Jack cheese evenly over the top. Follow by layering the crispy fried onions evenly across the entire surface to give the casserole a crunchy, golden topping once baked.
  5. Bake covered: Cover the casserole dish tightly with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, allowing the orzo to cook and the flavors to meld.
  6. Bake uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes or until the top is golden brown and bubbly around the edges.
  7. Serve and enjoy: Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving to set. This dish pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.

Notes

  • All-purpose seasoning can be substituted with your favorite poultry seasoning or herb blend if preferred.
  • If using frozen spinach, make sure to thaw and drain excess liquid to prevent the casserole from becoming watery.
  • You can swap rotisserie chicken for cooked chicken breast or thighs, shredded.
  • For a lighter version, use reduced-fat sour cream and cheese.
  • Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat thoroughly before serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: monterey chicken casserole, one pan dinner, orzo casserole, creamy chicken bake, easy weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://frommamamaya.com/monterey-chicken-one-pan-orzo-recipe/