5 from 42 votes
Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Orzo
Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Orzo blends tender orzo pasta with cooked chicken, soft broccoli florets, and a creamy cheddar cheese sauce. The dish includes aromatics like sautéed onion and garlic, and is gently simmered in chicken broth and cream with Italian seasoning and Worcestershire sauce, creating a comforting, rich texture. It makes an easy all-in-one meal that balances creaminess with bites of tender vegetables and chicken, suitable for dinner or lunch.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings:
4
Calories:
778 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 medium onion chopped
- 2 cups broccoli cut into bite-size florets
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup orzo pasta uncooked
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream aka whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cups chicken cooked, shredded or rotisserie
- 2 cups cheddar cheese sharp, shredded
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add the oil, butter, and onion to a pot over medium-high heat. Sauté the onion for 3-4 minutes.
- Add in the broccoli and continue cooking for another 2 minutes, stirring often.
- Stir in the garlic, Italian seasoning, and orzo, and cook for about 30 seconds.
- Add in the chicken broth, cream, and Worcestershire sauce. Once it just starts to boil, reduce the heat (to medium or even medium-low) and continue cooking for 10 minutes, uncovered, stirring fairly often. It should gently (but steadily) bubble vs. furiously boil, and you don't want the liquid to reduce too much before the pasta has cooked.
- Stir in the chicken.
- Take the pot off the heat, stir in the cheddar until it's completely melted in, and season with salt & pepper (I am fairly generous with the salt). If needed, cover the pot and let it sit for a few minutes to let the sauce thicken.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Adjust cooking temperature or add liquid if the orzo absorbs broth too quickly before it is tender.
- Broccoli florets soften during cooking; to keep them slightly firmer, add them later or reduce their initial cooking time.
- The recipe serves 4 to 6, depending on appetite and side dishes.
- Orzo is a type of pasta; rice can be substituted using a similar recipe if preferred.
Nutrition Information
Calories
778kcal
(39%)
Carbohydrates
37g
(12%)
Protein
40g
(80%)
Fat
53g
(82%)
Saturated Fat
28g
(140%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
3g
(18%)
Monounsaturated Fat
15g
(75%)
Trans Fat
0.1g
(5%)
Cholesterol
186mg
(62%)
Sodium
934mg
(39%)
Potassium
549mg
(12%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
5g
(10%)
Vitamin A
1839IU
(37%)
Vitamin C
42mg
(47%)
Calcium
494mg
(49%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 778
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 778kcal | 39% |
| Carbohydrates | 37g | 12% |
| Protein | 40g | 80% |
| Fat | 53g | 82% |
| Saturated Fat | 28g | 140% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 15g | 75% |
| Trans Fat | 0.1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 186mg | 62% |
| Sodium | 934mg | 39% |
| Potassium | 549mg | 12% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 1839IU | 37% |
| Vitamin C | 42mg | 47% |
| Calcium | 494mg | 49% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.