Experience a restaurant-quality meal right at home with this delightful skillet dinner.
Tender pieces of chicken breast are bathed in a velvety garlic Parmesan sauce, complemented by earthy sun-dried tomatoes, vibrant baby spinach, and perfectly cooked orzo pasta.
This dish brings together savory, creamy, and comforting flavors in one seamless, single-skillet preparation.
Quick Facts
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Resting Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into bite-sized 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (or 3 cloves of freshly minced garlic)
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 box (5 ounces) fresh baby spinach
- ½ cup chopped oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil over high heat. Add the orzo and cook, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until it reaches an al dente texture (typically about 11 minutes). Drain the pasta thoroughly and set aside.
2. Sear the Chicken
Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces lightly with salt and pepper, then place them in the hot skillet in a single layer.
Sear without disturbing for 3 to 5 minutes, then flip and cook until golden brown and cooked completely through with no pink remaining. Remove the chicken with a slotted spoon and set aside on a clean plate.
3. Build the Cream Sauce
Reduce the heat to medium. Pour the heavy cream and chicken broth into the same skillet, scraping up any delicious browned bits stuck to the bottom. Stir in the garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
Whisk continuously as the mixture comes to a gentle simmer and begins to thicken, which should take about 5 minutes.
4. Combine and Simmer
Return the cooked chicken and its resting juices back into the thickening cream sauce, letting it simmer for about 2 minutes. Fold in the fresh baby spinach, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Stir gently and let cook for about 1 minute until the spinach leaves are bright green and wilted.
5. Finish and Rest
Add the cooked orzo directly into the skillet, stirring everything together so the pasta absorbs the creamy sauce. Cook for 1 additional minute, then remove the skillet from the heat source.
Allow the dish to rest undisturbed for 5 minutes so the sauce can naturally thicken to a luxurious consistency before serving.
Chef’s Cooking Tips
Freshly Grated Cheese
For the smoothest, silkiest sauce texture, grate your own Parmesan cheese from a block rather than using pre-bagged shredded cheese, which contains anti-caking agents that can cause graininess.
Sun-Dried Tomatoes
If you are using sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, make sure to pat them dry with a paper towel and chop them finely so they distribute evenly throughout the sauce.
Pasta Water Trick
If your sauce feels a bit too thick after adding the orzo, splash in a tablespoon or two of the stater pasta cooking water to loosen it right back up.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value |
| Calories | 705 | — |
| Total Fat | 39g | 49% |
| Saturated Fat | 18g | 92% |
| Cholesterol | 223mg | 74% |
| Sodium | 757mg | 33% |
| Total Carbohydrates | 25g | 9% |
| Dietary Fiber | 3g | 9% |
| Total Sugars | 5g | — |
| Protein | 63g | 126% |
| Calcium | 226mg | 17% |
| Iron | 4mg | 25% |
| Potassium | 1013mg | 22% |
| Vitamin C | 13mg | 15% |
*Percent Daily Values are calculated based on a 2,000 calorie daily diet. Your nutritional needs may vary depending on your personal daily caloric target.
