Creamy Chicken Orzo Bake

This one pot baked orzo with chicken is an easy meal with the creamiest sauce. Everything cooks together for a fast dinner everyone will love!

As I type this I’m a cliche of all things Fall because I’m wearing flannel and leggings while wrapped in a blanket. Today, in the spirit of the impending cold weather, I bring you this cozy orzo pasta dish.

If I want to make my kids happy I just have to say we’re having pasta for dinner. It’s really that easy. And I want to be happy I just have to make a dinner that takes the least amount of work possible. Well guess what, folks? This meal satisfies both those requirements.

Everything cooks in one baking dish so we’re talking about minimal prep here. Simply add all your ingredients (save the spinach for later) and bake. The finished dish is oh so creamy and tastes indulgent.

Ingredients for Creamy Chicken Orzo Bake

• Chicken stock or broth: We’re cooking everything in the chicken stock or chicken broth to get the maximum flavor.
• Orzo pasta: Orzo is a short pasta shaped like large grains of rice. I love the small size of this pasta because it really lets the creamy sauce be the star.
• Chicken breasts: We’re using boneless skinless chicken breasts in this entree but chicken thighs (also boneless and skinless) would work well too. We’ll dice them into small pieces so they cook fast and are mixed in with the other ingredients.
• Jarred sun-dried tomatoes: I recommend using the julienne cut sun-dried tomatoes. They come in a jar and they’re mixed with oil.
• Lemon juice: A bit of lemon juice helps brighten the flavor of our sauce.
• Minced garlic: You can mince your own garlic or use a jarred variety.
• Cream cheese: Cream cheese adds a creaminess to our finished pasta. I use low fat cream cheese (Philadelphia 1/3 less fat) but any will work.
• Spinach: Stir in fresh spinach leaves toward the end of our cooking time for an extra boost of healthy greens.
• Seasonings: Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, and black pepper are all you need to add more flavor to this easy entree.

How to Make Creamy Chicken Orzo Bake

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Spray the sides and bottom of a 9×13 baking dish with an oil spray (or add a thin swipe of oil).

Add the chicken stock or broth, chicken pieces, orzo, sun-dried tomatoes, lemon juice, minced garlic, italian seasoning, salt, onion powder, and black pepper to the prepared baking dish. Stir. Place the block of cream cheese in the center.

Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.

Remove from the oven. Uncover and stir to break up the cream cheese. Then stir in the spinach. Bake, uncovered, for an additional 15 minutes, or until the orzo and chicken are completely cooked through. The sauce will continue to thicken as it sits. Stir again before serving.

What is Orzo?

When people think of pasta they usually think of the flashier varieties like spaghetti, angel hair, or penne. But orzo is a sleeper hit in my opinion. It’s small so it resembles rice. This means it’s easy to eat and it lets the other ingredients be the star of the show.

Can You Add Extra Veggies?

Absolutely! Stirring in streamed or roasted broccoli after cooking would be delicious.

How to Store Leftovers

Want to enjoy this recipe the next day or later in the week? This recipe is great for meal prep! Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave.

How to Serve Creamy Chicken Orzo Bake

This dish is designed to be a standalone meal but I love it paired with a simple side salad to balance the richness of the pasta.

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