Have you ever tasted something so delicious you'd marry the person who made it? That's exactly how I felt when I created this marry me chicken orzo recipe! The first time I made this creamy, sun-dried tomato dream for my family, Emily immediately declared it was "the best thing you've ever cooked, Mom!" High praise from my picky 10-year-old!
I've been experimenting with one-pot meals lately (because who has time for washing multiple dishes?), and this combination of tender chicken, perfectly cooked orzo, and a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce has become our new weeknight favorite. It's basically comfort in a bowl - rich, satisfying, and incredibly simple to make.
Looking for more variations of this irresistible dish? Check out my dairy-free marry me chicken recipe for those with lactose sensitivities or dietary preferences. It's just as creamy and delicious without using any dairy products!
Why You Will Like This Marry Me Chicken Orzo Recipe
- Ready in just 30 minutes from start to finish
- Uses simple ingredients most home cooks already have
- One-pot preparation means minimal cleanup
- Perfect balance of creamy, savory, and tangy flavors
- Great for meal prep - tastes even better the next day
- Kid-approved and family-friendly
- Impressive enough for date night but easy enough for weeknights
- Can use rotisserie chicken to save even more time
Ingredients for Marry Me Chicken Orzo
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- ⅓ cup sun-dried tomatoes
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
- ½ cup dry white wine
- 1.5 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy/whipping cream
- 2 cups cooked shredded/rotisserie chicken
- ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1 small handful fresh basil, torn/chopped
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions for Making Marry Me Chicken Orzo
Preparing the Base
- Add the oil, butter, tomato paste, sun-dried tomatoes, oregano, garlic, red pepper flakes, and orzo to a pot over medium-high heat. Once the butter melts, cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring often.
- This step is so important for developing flavor! I learned this trick in my college cooking class - toasting the dry orzo with the aromatics creates this amazing nutty flavor that makes the dish extra special. You'll notice the orzo start to get slightly golden and the garlic will become fragrant.
Creating the Creamy Sauce
- Add in the wine and let it bubble for about one minute. This step makes me feel so fancy, even on a regular Tuesday night! The wine adds a wonderful depth of flavor as it reduces.
- Stir in the chicken broth and cream. Bring it to a gentle boil, then continue cooking for 10 minutes, uncovered, stirring fairly often to ensure the orzo doesn't stick to the pot.
- You'll probably need to turn the heat down a bit (to medium or even medium-low). It should simmer versus furiously boil, and you don't want the liquid to reduce too much before the pasta has cooked.
Finishing Your Marry Me Chicken Orzo
- Stir in the chicken, parmesan, and basil. This is where the magic happens - the parmesan melts into the sauce creating this incredible richness that'll make you swoon!
- Take the pot off the heat, and cover it for 3-5 minutes or until it has thickened up to your liking. Season with salt & pepper as needed.
- When you remove the lid, you'll be greeted with a gorgeous, creamy pasta dish that smells like heaven. I usually have to swat away little hands trying to grab a taste before it even hits the table!
Storage & Reheating
This marry me chicken orzo keeps beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container. I actually think it tastes even better the next day after the flavors have had time to meld together!
When reheating, add a splash of chicken broth or cream to loosen up the sauce, as the orzo will continue absorbing liquid as it sits. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, or gently reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat.
For freezing, this dish will keep for up to 3 months, but the texture of the cream sauce may change slightly upon thawing.
Variations of Chicken Orzo Recipe
I'm all about adaptability in the kitchen (aren't we all just making do with what we have sometimes?), so here are some of my favorite tweaks to this marry me chicken orzo recipe:
- Short on time? Use pre-minced garlic and rotisserie chicken
- No white wine? Substitute with additional chicken broth and a splash of lemon juice
- Make it spicier by doubling the red pepper flakes
- Add in some spinach or kale during the last minute of cooking for extra veggies
- Swap the chicken for shrimp for a seafood version (reduce cooking time)
- Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter option (though the sauce won't be quite as rich)
The first time I made this with frozen spinach that I found buried in the back of my freezer, my husband said it was like a fancy restaurant dish. Who knew cleaning out the freezer could lead to culinary glory?
FAQ About Marry Me Chicken Orzo
"Marry Me Chicken" got its name because it's supposedly so delicious that someone might propose after tasting it! Our orzo version combines this creamy, sun-dried tomato chicken dish with pasta for an easy one-pot meal.
Yes, you can substitute half-and-half for heavy cream, though the sauce won't be quite as rich and may be slightly thinner. For the best results, reduce it a bit longer to achieve similar creaminess.
This one-pot meal is fairly complete on its own, but pairs wonderfully with a simple green salad, roasted vegetables, garlic bread, or a light Caesar salad for a balanced meal.
No, you don't need to rinse orzo before cooking this recipe. The starch on the orzo actually helps thicken the creamy sauce. Just add it directly to the pot as instructed in the recipe.
Recipes You May Like
- Marry Me Chicken Meatballs - Another delicious variation with the same amazing flavors but in meatball form!
- Marry Me Chicken Tortellini - If you love the sauce but want to try it with a different pasta shape.
- Crockpot Marry Me Chicken Pasta - For those days when you need dinner ready when you walk in the door.
Conclusion
This marry me chicken orzo recipe is more than just a meal – it's a little pot of happiness that brings everyone to the table with smiles on their faces. The creamy sauce, tender chicken, and perfectly cooked orzo create a symphony of flavors that will have your family requesting it again and again.
I love watching people's expressions when they take their first bite – there's always that moment of surprise followed by pure joy. Whether you're cooking for your family on a busy weeknight or trying to impress someone special, this dish delivers every time.
Don't forget to save this recipe to Pinterest for your next meal planning session! It's one of those recipes you'll come back to again and again.
One-Pot Marry Me Chicken Orzo Recipe
Equipment
- Large Pot or Dutch Oven
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- ⅓ cup sun-dried tomatoes
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 cup orzo pasta uncooked
- ½ cup dry white wine
- 1.5 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups chicken cooked, shredded or rotisserie
- ½ cup parmesan cheese freshly grated
- 1 small handful fresh basil torn or chopped
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add the oil, butter, tomato paste, sun-dried tomatoes, oregano, garlic, red pepper flakes, and orzo to a pot over medium-high heat. Once the butter melts, cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring often.
- Add in the wine and let it bubble for about one minute, then stir in the chicken broth and cream. Bring it to a gentle boil.
- Continue cooking for 10 minutes, uncovered, stirring fairly often ensuring the orzo doesn't stick to the pot. You will probably need to turn the heat down a bit (to medium or even medium-low). It should simmer vs. furiously boil, and you don't want the liquid to reduce too much before the pasta has cooked.
- Stir in the chicken, parmesan, and basil.
- Take the pot off the heat, and cover it for 3-5 minutes or until it has thickened up to your liking. Season with salt & pepper as needed.
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