Creamy Garlic Butter Pepper Jack Chicken Orzo (Printable version)
A luscious one-pan dish combining tender chicken, creamy orzo, fresh spinach, garlic butter, and spicy Pepper Jack cheese for ultimate comfort.
# What you need:
→ Chicken
01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
02 - 1 tsp paprika
03 - 1/2 tsp salt
04 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
→ Orzo & Aromatics
05 - 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta (uncooked)
06 - 3 tbsp unsalted butter
07 - 5 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
→ Liquids & Creaminess
09 - 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
10 - 1 cup whole milk
11 - 1/3 cup heavy cream
→ Cheese & Finish
12 - 1 cup shredded Pepper Jack cheese
13 - 2 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped
14 - 2 tbsp freshly chopped parsley
15 - Lemon wedges, for serving
# How To:
01 - Season the chicken pieces with paprika, salt, and black pepper, coating evenly.
02 - Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté the chicken until golden and cooked through, 5–6 minutes. Remove to a plate.
03 - Reduce heat to medium. Melt remaining butter in the skillet. Add garlic and onion, sauté until fragrant and translucent, about 2–3 minutes.
04 - Stir in orzo, toasting lightly for 1 minute to develop nutty flavor.
05 - Pour in chicken broth and milk, stirring and scraping up any browned bits from the skillet bottom.
06 - Bring to a gentle simmer. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 8–10 minutes until orzo is mostly tender and most liquid is absorbed.
07 - Stir in heavy cream and cooked chicken. Mix in spinach and Pepper Jack cheese; stir until spinach wilts and cheese melts completely, 2–3 minutes.
08 - Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Sprinkle with parsley and serve with lemon wedges on the side.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Everything cooks in one pan, leaving you with exactly one skillet to wash instead of a mountain of pots
- The Pepper Jack melts into this incredible gooey mess that clings to every piece of chicken and orzo
- Its the kind of meal that tastes like it took hours but actually comes together on a weeknight
02 -
- The orzo will continue to absorb liquid as it sits, so if you are reheating leftovers, add a splash of milk or broth to loosen it up
- Pepper Jack varies by brand in terms of heat level, so taste your sauce before adding red pepper flakes
- Stirring frequently in the last few minutes prevents the orzo from sticking to the bottom of the pan
03 -
- Room temperature ingredients prevent the cream from separating when you add it to the hot pan
- Grating your own Pepper Jack instead of buying pre shredded makes a huge difference in how smoothly it melts