Description
Broccoli cheddar orzo with chicken is a creamy, cheesy one-pot meal featuring tender chicken, orzo pasta, and fresh broccoli in a rich cheddar sauce. A comforting and family-friendly dinner ready in under 40 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 cups orzo pasta
- 3 cups broccoli florets, chopped
- 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup milk or half-and-half
- 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (optional)
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Heat olive oil or butter in a large pot over medium heat.
- Season chicken with paprika, salt, and pepper, then cook until browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pot, sauté onion and garlic until softened.
- Stir in orzo and toast for 1–2 minutes.
- Add chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Cook until orzo is nearly tender.
- Add broccoli florets and cook until bright green and tender.
- Stir in milk, cheddar cheese, and Parmesan until creamy.
- Return chicken to the pot, toss everything together, and adjust seasoning to taste before serving.
Notes
Use rotisserie chicken for a quicker version.Swap cheddar for pepper jack if you prefer spice.Add mushrooms, peas, or spinach for more vegetables.Make it vegetarian by omitting chicken and using vegetable broth.For creamier leftovers, add a splash of broth or milk when reheating.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
