Description
A comforting and quick weeknight dinner featuring orzo pasta, tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and a creamy cheese sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1½ cups orzo pasta, uncooked
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced into 1-inch pieces
- 3 cups fresh broccoli florets, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup milk (whole or 2%)
- 2 cups shredded cheese blend (1½ cups cheddar and ½ cup mozzarella)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook orzo according to package directions until al dente (about 8-9 minutes), adding broccoli florets in the last 3 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season diced chicken with salt and pepper, add to the skillet, and cook for 5-6 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add butter and diced onions. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until translucent. Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
- Stir in the flour to make a roux, cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in chicken broth and milk, stirring constantly until thickened (3-4 minutes).
- Reduce heat to low and stir in cheddar and mozzarella cheese in batches until melted and creamy. Season with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
- Add the cooked chicken, orzo, and broccoli to the sauce and fold gently until fully coated. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese before serving.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free orzo and flour.
- Freshly shredded cheese melts best and avoids clumping.
- You can prep this dish a day in advance and reheat gently before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 425 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Orzo, creamy chicken orzo, broccoli pasta dinner, easy family meal