Cozy Chicken Pot Pie Orzo Recipe
This Cozy Chicken Pot Pie Orzo is a comforting and creamy one-pot meal that combines tender chicken, vegetables, and orzo pasta in a rich broth. Inspired by classic chicken pot pie flavors but with a quick stovetop twist, it’s perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner that comes together in under an hour.
- Author: Marco
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Proteins & Fats
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, diced
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup carrots, diced
- 1 cup frozen peas
Dry & Dairy
- 1½ cups uncooked orzo pasta
- 3 cups chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream (or whole milk)
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp dried parsley
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Salt, to taste
- Heat Fat and Oil: Heat olive oil and butter in a large pot over medium heat until melted and hot, creating a flavorful base for cooking the chicken and vegetables.
- Cook Chicken: Add diced chicken to the pot and cook until lightly golden on all sides, ensuring it’s partially cooked through before adding other ingredients.
- Sauté Vegetables: Stir in diced onion and carrots. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened and aromatic, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Add Garlic: Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds more to release its flavor without burning.
- Add Broth and Orzo: Pour in the chicken broth and add the uncooked orzo pasta, stirring to combine everything evenly.
- Simmer Pasta and Chicken: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let simmer gently for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and chicken is fully cooked.
- Add Final Ingredients: Stir in frozen peas, heavy cream (or whole milk), dried thyme, dried parsley, black pepper, and salt to taste. This enriches the dish and adds classic pot pie flavors.
- Thicken and Heat Through: Continue simmering the mixture until it thickens to a creamy consistency, about 3-5 more minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Rest and Serve: Remove from heat and let the dish rest for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the mixture to set slightly before serving warm.
Notes
- You can substitute whole milk for heavy cream for a lighter version, though the sauce may be slightly less rich.
- Use chicken thighs if you prefer more flavorful and juicier meat over chicken breast.
- Frozen peas can be replaced with fresh peas or green beans for variation.
- This dish can be garnished with fresh parsley or a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.
- Leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
Keywords: chicken pot pie orzo, creamy chicken pasta, comfort food, one-pot meal, quick dinner, stovetop chicken recipe