Description
This spinach and artichoke chicken orzo is a one-pan dinner that combines tender chicken thighs with creamy orzo, fresh spinach, and tangy artichoke hearts in a luscious parmesan sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 to 6 bone-in (skin-on) chicken thighs or 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 3 to 4 garlic cloves (minced)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup milk or half-and-half
- 1 ¼ cups orzo
- 14 ounce can quartered artichoke hearts (drained and chopped)
- 3 to 4 cups fresh spinach (roughly chopped)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for serving)
- ½ cup cream cheese or mascarpone (optional but recommended)
- Juice of ½ lemon (optional, for brightness)
- Additional salt and black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Pat chicken dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sear chicken until golden brown and nearly cooked through, about 5 to 6 minutes per side. Remove to a plate.
- In the same pan, melt butter and add minced garlic. Sauté until fragrant.
- Add orzo and toast for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Add chicken broth and milk. Stir and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook about 10 minutes until orzo is tender and creamy.
- Stir in chopped spinach and artichoke hearts. Cook until spinach wilts.
- Reduce heat to low. Stir in parmesan cheese and cream cheese until melted and smooth. Season to taste.
- Slice or shred chicken and return to the pan. Stir to coat in the sauce and simmer until heated through.
- Sprinkle with more parmesan and black pepper before serving.
Notes
- This dish can be made with either bone-in or boneless chicken.
- Adjust the amount of spinach and artichokes based on your preference.
- For extra creaminess, use half-and-half instead of milk.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 868
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 1200 mg
- Fat: 50 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 49 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 51 g
- Cholesterol: 200 mg
Keywords: One Pan Spinach Artichoke Chicken Orzo