Creamy One-Pot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Orzo Recipe

Let’s talk about weeknight dinners. You want something delicious, comforting, and satisfying, but the thought of juggling multiple pots and pans after a long day is… less than appealing. What if you could create a complete, creamy, cheesy pasta dish packed with chicken and broccoli, all in one single pot and in about 30 minutes?

This Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Orzo recipe is about to become your new best friend. Imagine tender orzo pasta simmered in a rich, creamy broth, studded with flavorful chicken and bright broccoli florets, all enveloped in a sharp cheddar cheese sauce. It’s like the best version of mac and cheese met a sophisticated chicken and broccoli casserole, and it all happens effortlessly in one pot. Pure comfort, maximum flavor, minimal cleanup – what’s not to love?

Ingredients

This comforting one-pot meal comes together with simple, flavorful ingredients. Using pre-cooked rotisserie chicken makes it exceptionally fast!

Ingredient	Amount/Quantity	Notes
Olive Oil	1 tablespoon
Unsalted Butter	1 tablespoon	Adds richness
Medium Onion, chopped	½	Creates a flavorful base
Broccoli Florets	2 cups, bite-size	Fresh or frozen (thawed) works
Garlic Cloves, minced	3
Italian Seasoning	½ teaspoon	Or use a mix of dried oregano & basil
Uncooked Orzo Pasta	1 cup	Small pasta shape, cooks quickly
Low-Sodium Chicken Broth	2 cups	Provides liquid for cooking orzo
Heavy Whipping Cream	1 cup	Makes the sauce luxuriously creamy
Worcestershire Sauce	1 teaspoon	Adds depth and umami
Cooked Chicken, shredded	2 cups	Rotisserie chicken is perfect
Sharp Cheddar Cheese, shredded	2 cups	Use freshly shredded for best melt
Kosher Salt	To taste
Freshly Ground Black Pepper	To taste

Timing

This delicious one-pot wonder is perfect for busy weeknights, coming together in roughly half an hour!

• Preparation Time: 10 minutes (mostly chopping)
• Cooking Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: Approximately 35 minutes

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these easy steps to create a creamy, cheesy, and satisfying one-pot meal the whole family will adore.

Step 1: Sauté Aromatics and Broccoli

this now & bake later ❤️

Place a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and butter. Once the butter is melted, add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent. Add the bite-size broccoli florets to the pot and continue cooking for another 2 minutes, stirring often, allowing the broccoli to brighten slightly.

• Actionable Tip: Cutting the broccoli into small, bite-size florets ensures they cook through perfectly in the simmering sauce without becoming mushy.

Step 2: Toast Garlic, Seasoning, and Orzo

Stir in the minced garlic and Italian seasoning, cooking for about 30 seconds until the garlic is fragrant – be careful not to let it burn! Add the uncooked orzo pasta to the pot and stir constantly for about 30 seconds.

• Actionable Tip: Briefly toasting the dry orzo in the pot before adding liquids enhances its nutty flavor and can help prevent it from clumping together.

Step 3: Simmer the Orzo

Pour in the chicken broth, heavy cream, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir everything together and bring the mixture just to a boil. Immediately reduce the heat to medium or medium-low – you want a gentle but steady simmer, not a furious boil. Cook uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring frequently, especially scraping the bottom, until the orzo is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.

• Actionable Tip: Stirring often is crucial! Orzo can stick to the bottom of the pot easily, especially in a creamy sauce. Keep the heat low enough to prevent scorching and ensure the liquid doesn’t reduce too quickly before the pasta is cooked.

Step 4: Add Chicken and Cheese

Stir the shredded cooked chicken into the pot until it’s heated through, about 1-2 minutes. Remove the pot completely from the heat. Add the shredded sharp cheddar cheese and stir continuously until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.

• Actionable Tip: Always add cheese off the heat! Adding cheese to a boiling or very hot sauce can cause it to become grainy or separate. Taking the pot off the burner ensures a perfectly smooth, velvety cheese sauce.

Step 5: Rest, Season, and Serve

Season the Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Orzo generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your taste (cheddar can be salty, so taste before adding too much salt). If the sauce seems a little thin, simply cover the pot and let it sit off the heat for 5 minutes; it will thicken significantly as it rests. Serve hot and enjoy!

Nutritional Information

This is an estimate for one serving (about ⅙ of the recipe). Nutritional values can vary based on specific ingredients used (like the fat content of the cream and cheese).

• Calories: Approx. 550-650 kcal
• Protein: 30-35 g
• Carbohydrates: 35-40 g
• Fat: 30-35 g
• Saturated Fat: 15-20 g

Notable Benefits: This dish provides a good balance of protein, carbs, and fats, plus fiber and vitamins from the broccoli.

Healthier Alternatives

While this dish is pure comfort, you can make a few swaps to lighten it up:

• Lighter Creaminess: Replace the heavy cream with half-and-half, evaporated milk, or even whole milk. The sauce will be less rich but still creamy. Note: Using lower-fat milk increases the chance of the sauce splitting if simmered too hard.
• Whole Wheat Orzo: Substitute traditional orzo with whole wheat orzo for added fiber and nutrients. Cooking time may need slight adjustment.
• More Veggies: Increase the amount of broccoli or stir in other vegetables like frozen peas, chopped spinach, or sautéed mushrooms towards the end of the cooking time.
• Cheese Choice: Use a reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese.

Serving Suggestions

This creamy one-pot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Orzo is a hearty meal on its own, but pairs well with simple additions.

• Fresh Garnish: Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley or chives before serving for a touch of color and freshness. A pinch of red pepper flakes adds a nice kick for adults.
• Simple Side Salad: A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette balances the richness of the pasta perfectly.
• Crusty Bread: Serve with slices of warm, crusty bread for soaking up any leftover delicious cheesy sauce. Garlic bread would be extra decadent!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

For the creamiest, dreamiest result, watch out for these potential issues:

• Orzo Sticking/Scorching: Creamy sauces and pasta can easily stick. Solution: Stir frequently during the 10-minute simmering time, making sure to scrape the bottom of the pot. Keep the heat at a gentle simmer, not a rolling boil.
• Sauce Boiling Over: Cream-based sauces can bubble up quickly. Solution: Maintain a medium-low heat and keep a close eye on it while simmering. Use a large enough pot.
• Grainy Cheese Sauce: Adding cheese to liquid that is too hot can cause it to curdle or become grainy. Solution: Always remove the pot from the heat before stirring in the shredded cheese.
• Sauce Too Thick/Thin: The sauce thickens considerably upon standing. Solution: If it’s too thick after resting, stir in a splash of warm chicken broth or milk. If it seems too thin initially, let it rest, covered, off the heat for 5-10 minutes.

Storing Tips

Leftovers of this creamy pasta dish reheat surprisingly well!

• Refrigerate: Let the orzo cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheat: Reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of milk or chicken broth to loosen the sauce as it warms. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave, stirring halfway through.
• Freezing: Freezing is generally not recommended for cream-based pasta dishes, as the sauce can separate and the pasta texture can become mushy upon thawing and reheating.

Conclusion

This One-Pot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Orzo is the ultimate weeknight comfort food solution. It’s creamy, flavorful, packed with familiar ingredients, and best of all, incredibly easy to make with minimal cleanup. It’s a satisfying, family-friendly meal that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen, even though it comes together in about 30 minutes. Pure cheesy, creamy bliss in a bowl!

Ready to simplify your dinner routine with this delicious one-pot meal? Give it a try and let us know what you think in the comments below! We love hearing your feedback. Don’t forget to rate the recipe and subscribe for more easy and comforting dinner ideas!

FAQs

Q1: Can I use raw chicken for this recipe?

Yes, but it adds a step. Cut about 1-1.5 lbs of boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs into small, bite-size pieces. Season with salt and pepper. After sautéing the onion (before adding broccoli), add the chicken pieces and cook until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pot, proceed with the recipe as written, and stir the cooked chicken back in at the end.

Q2: Can I make this dish gluten-free?

Yes! Simply substitute the regular orzo pasta with a gluten-free orzo or a similar small gluten-free pasta shape. Ensure your chicken broth and Worcestershire sauce are also certified gluten-free. Cooking times for gluten-free pasta may vary slightly, so check the package directions.

Q3: What other cheeses can I use besides sharp cheddar?

Sharp cheddar provides a great tangy flavor, but feel free to experiment! Gruyère, Fontina, Monterey Jack, Colby, or a blend of cheeses would also be delicious. Just make sure it’s a good melting cheese and shred it yourself for the smoothest sauce.

Q4: Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

This dish is best enjoyed fresh as the orzo will continue to absorb liquid as it sits. However, you can prep the ingredients (chop veggies, shred chicken and cheese) ahead of time to make assembly even faster on a busy night.

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