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creamy garlic chicken orzo in one pot

One-Pot Creamy Italian Garlic Chicken Thighs with Toasted Orzo

An easy, 30-minute weeknight dinner featuring juicy seared chicken thighs and nutty toasted orzo in a rich garlic cream sauce. Perfect one-skillet comfort food!
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
no resting time required: 0 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Calories: 2739kcal
Author: Anjali

INGREDIENTS

For the Chicken:

  • 1½ lbs chicken thighs boneless, skinless
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • salt and pepper as per taste

For the Orzo & Sauce:

  • 1 cup Orzo dry
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 2 cups chicken broth low sodium
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon cream cheese softened
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

For the Garnish:

  • fresh flat-leaf parsley finely chopped
  • fresh Rosemary leaves

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Thoroughly pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel. This ensures a deep, uniform sear. Season both sides generously with salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
  • Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot and shimmering, add the chicken thighs smooth-side down. Let them sear undisturbed for 4 to 5 minutes until a rich, golden crust forms. Flip and sear the other side for another 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the chicken to a plate (it will finish cooking later).
  • Turn the heat down to medium. Drop the unsalted butter into the same skillet, letting it melt into the leftover chicken fats. Pour in the raw orzo pasta. Stir constantly for 1 to 2 minutes until the pasta turns a light golden-brown color and smells distinctly nutty.
  • Drop the skillet heat to low. Pour in the unsalted chicken broth, heavy cream, cream cheese, grated garlic, and Italian seasoning. Whisk vigorously for a minute to completely break up and melt the cream cheese into a smooth, emulsified liquid.
  • Nestle the seared chicken thighs and any juices from the plate back into the bubbling orzo. Cover the skillet tightly with a lid. Simmer on low heat for 5 to 6 minutes. The orzo will absorb the liquid and turn tender, and the chicken will reach a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
  • Remove the lid. Give the pasta a gentle stir, taste the sauce, and add a final pinch of salt or pepper if desired. Scatter the fresh chopped parsley and rosemary leaves across the top. Serve hot directly from the pan.

Notes

Because this recipe calls for unsalted chicken broth and unsalted butter, you have full control over the savory profile. Be sure to season your chicken well in Step 1, and always taste the sauce right before serving to see if it needs a tiny final adjustment!

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
One-Pot Creamy Italian Garlic Chicken Thighs with Toasted Orzo
Amount Per Serving
Calories 2739 Calories from Fat 1629
% Daily Value*
Fat 181g278%
Saturated Fat 63g394%
Trans Fat 1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 29g
Monounsaturated Fat 72g
Cholesterol 819mg273%
Sodium 2452mg107%
Potassium 2158mg62%
Carbohydrates 132g44%
Fiber 8g33%
Sugar 12g13%
Protein 143g286%
Vitamin A 2458IU49%
Vitamin C 3mg4%
Calcium 302mg30%
Iron 9mg50%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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