Creamy Tomato Orzo with Chicken Recipe
A comforting and creamy tomato orzo pasta dish with tender chicken, infused with garlic, white wine, and Italian seasoning. This one-pot meal is easy to prepare, combining cooked chicken, orzo, and a luscious tomato cream sauce finished with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup dry white wine
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy/whipping cream
- 1 cup uncooked orzo
- 2 cups cooked or rotisserie chicken
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 handful fresh basil, torn
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Sauté onion: Heat olive oil and butter in a Dutch oven or large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, releasing its aroma without burning.
- Deglaze with wine: Pour in the dry white wine and let it bubble for 30 seconds to reduce slightly and intensify flavor.
- Add tomato paste and seasoning: Stir in tomato paste and Italian seasoning, mixing well to combine all flavors.
- Add liquids and orzo: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, then add the uncooked orzo. Increase heat to high and stir well to dissolve the tomato paste.
- Cook the orzo: Once the mixture boils, reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook uncovered for about 10 minutes, stirring often to prevent sticking, until orzo is tender and the sauce begins to thicken.
- Finish with chicken and cheese: Stir in the cooked chicken, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and torn fresh basil leaves. Remove the pot from the heat and cover for 3-5 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken further and flavors to meld.
- Season and serve: Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. Serve immediately for a warm, creamy tomato orzo with chicken dish.
Notes
- You can substitute rotisserie chicken with any cooked chicken leftovers.
- For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- If you don’t have white wine, substitute with extra chicken broth or a splash of lemon juice for acidity.
- Fresh basil can be replaced or supplemented with fresh parsley or oregano.
- Stir frequently during cooking to prevent the orzo from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
Keywords: Creamy tomato orzo, chicken orzo pasta, one pot pasta, creamy chicken pasta, Italian comfort food
