Go Back
–+ servings
Chicken Orzo Bake in bowl with sprig of thyme and lemon wedge on side.

Chicken Orzo Bake

Sara Walkenbach
This warm and cozy meal is ready in less than 35 minutes. Tender chicken mixed with veggies and orzo with a touch of cream is the perfect weeknight dish.
No ratings yet
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 405 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 12" sauté pan with lid that can go from stove top to oven (see post)

Ingredients
  

  • 2 Chicken Breasts
  • 1 cup Orzo
  • 3-4 Carrots peeled and diced (1-1/2 cups)
  • 1 Celery stalk diced (1/2 cup)
  • 1 cup Onion diced
  • 2 Garlic Cloves minced
  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil or Avocado Oil
  • 2 cups Chicken Stock low sodium
  • 1/2 cup Half and Half
  • 1 Lemon juiced
  • 1 tbsp Fresh Thyme chopped
  • 1 tsp Sea Salt

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 375℉. Measure out 1/2 cup of half and half, set aside.
    Heat skillet on medium heat, add 1 tbsp oil to pan. Sprinkle both sides of chicken with a little salt. Sear chicken a few minutes on each side. Remove from pan, set aside.
  • Add carrots, celery, and onion to pan. Sauté for 1 minute. Add in 1 cup of orzo, and sauté for 1 minute. Add garlic, sauté for 30 seconds, then add in 2 cups chicken stock and remaining salt. With wooden spatula scrape the bottom of the pan, removing the brown flavor bits.
  • Place chicken breasts back in pan. Put a lid on pan and carefully place in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until chicken is done (165 ℉). (Sometimes, one breast is done before the other. Take the cooked one out and allow the other to continue cooking).
  • Once chicken is cooked to 165℉ remove from oven. Remove chicken from pan. Add lemon juice from 1 lemon. Temper half and half, if needed (see post for tempering), add half and half to pan along with thyme. If more stock is needed add 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup.
  • Shred or chop chicken, add back into pan. Stir. Salt to taste and enjoy.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 405kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 34gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 83mgSodium: 811mgPotassium: 928mgFiber: 4gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 7919IUVitamin C: 25mgCalcium: 96mgIron: 2mg
Keyword 1 pot meal, 35 minute meals, Chicken Orzo Bake, healthy chicken dinners, healthy comfort food, healthy recipes, orzo, pasta dish, weeknight dinner
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!