One Pot Spinach Artichoke Orzo with Chicken Recipe
This One Pot Spinach Artichoke Orzo with Chicken is a creamy, flavorful, and comforting dish combining tender chicken, fresh spinach, tangy artichoke hearts, and cheesy goodness all cooked together in a single skillet. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it delivers hearty Italian-inspired flavors with minimal cleanup.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1½ pounds chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 teaspoon salt (for chicken)
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Orzo and Cooking Liquids
- 16 ounces orzo pasta
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1½ cups heavy cream
Cheeses and Veggies
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (14 ounce) can quartered artichoke hearts, drained
- 8 ounces fresh spinach
Instructions
- Prepare and Season Chicken: Cut the chicken breast into 1-inch cubes. Season thoroughly with 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder to enhance flavor before cooking.
- Cook Chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil. Once hot, arrange the chicken cubes in a single layer. Cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes to sear, then stir and continue cooking for another 3-4 minutes until the chicken is browned and cooked through.
- Add Orzo and Liquids: Add the dry orzo pasta to the skillet with the cooked chicken. Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stir gently, and bring the mixture to a simmer on medium heat. Let it cook for about 10-12 minutes, stirring frequently and scraping the bottom of the pan to prevent sticking, until the orzo is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
- Incorporate Cheeses and Vegetables: Stir in the minced garlic, salt, cream cheese, parmesan cheese, drained artichoke hearts, and fresh spinach. Continue to cook, stirring regularly, until the spinach wilts and the cheeses melt into a creamy sauce that coats the orzo and chicken evenly.
- Garnish and Serve: Finish by sprinkling additional parmesan cheese and fresh cracked black pepper on top before serving warm for a delicious, comforting meal.
Notes
- Use a large skillet or a wide sauté pan with a lid to accommodate all ingredients comfortably.
- Stir frequently during the orzo cooking to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or use less cream cheese.
- Fresh spinach can be replaced with frozen spinach if needed; just thaw and drain excess liquid before adding.
- Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or basil for added freshness.
Keywords: one pot meal, spinach artichoke, orzo pasta, creamy chicken, skillet dinner, easy weeknight dinner
