Marry Me Chicken Orzo

Name: Marry Me Chicken Orzo One-Pan Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 16 oz chicken breast, diced; 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 tbsp minced garlic; 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained; 1 tsp paprika; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp onion powder; 1 tsp Italian seasoning; 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes; salt, to taste; black pepper, to taste; 8 oz orzo pasta; 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth; 1 cup almond milk; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 2 cups fresh spinach

Marry Me Chicken Orzo is a one-pan Italian-American dish combining tender diced chicken, creamy sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach for a satisfying weeknight meal that comes together quickly.

🌍Italian-American 🏷️Marry me chicken 🏷️Orzo 🏷️Chicken 🏷️Sun-dried tomato Spinach

🏷️

🏷️One-pan

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TikTok

Total

30 min

Servings

4

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$29–$48

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok

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TikTok

Ingredients

16 oz chicken breast, diced
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
salt, to taste
black pepper, to taste
8 oz orzo pasta
3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup almond milk
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups fresh spinach

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Instructions

1
Dice the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces and set aside.
2
In a large pan over medium heat, add olive oil and minced garlic. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
3
Add the diced chicken to the pan and cook until it's completely cooked through.
4
Add the drained sun-dried tomatoes, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together to combine.
5
Pour in the orzo pasta and chicken broth. Stir well.
6
Cover the pan and let it cook on medium heat for 12 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
7
Stir in the almond milk and grated Parmesan cheese until a creamy sauce forms.
8
Add the fresh spinach and stir for about one minute until it has wilted down.
9
Remove the pan from the heat and serve immediately.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Drain sun-dried tomatoes thoroughly before adding to prevent excess oil from making the sauce greasy.
Cook chicken until just opaque, then remove from pan before cooking orzo—this prevents overcooking and allows you to build the sauce separately.
Add spinach in the final minute of cooking to preserve its bright color and fresh texture.
Taste and adjust seasoning at the end; the combination of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning is potent—add salt gradually.

Substitutions

sun-dried tomatoes → roasted red peppers or fire-roasted canned tomatoes (adjust liquid ratio)
spinach → kale or arugula (add at end to avoid bitterness)
Italian seasoning → fresh basil and oregano (1 tsp dried = ½ tsp fresh per herb, add near end)

Storage & make-ahead

Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat with a splash of water or broth to restore creaminess.

Common Questions

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breast?

Yes. Thighs stay more tender and flavorful; use the same amount and monitor cooking time—they may need 2-3 minutes longer than breast.

How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

Chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part, or when it's white throughout with no pink.

Can I make this ahead?

Yes. Prepare and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or broth to restore creaminess.