Description
This One Pot Garlic Butter Chicken and Orzo is a comforting and flavorful weeknight meal featuring tender, golden chicken thighs cooked with buttery orzo pasta infused with garlic and chicken stock. Finished with melted butter, fresh parsley, and parmesan cheese, it’s an easy yet elegant dish perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Butter
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
Orzo and Seasonings
- 1 pound uncooked orzo
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 32 ounces chicken stock
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
Toppings
- Chopped fresh parsley, for topping
- Parmesan cheese, for topping
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Heat 3 tablespoons of butter in a large cast iron or ceramic skillet over medium heat. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season all over with kosher salt and pepper.
- Cook the chicken: Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown. Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Toast the orzo and garlic: Check if there is leftover butter or chicken fat in the skillet; if not, add 1 tablespoon of butter or olive oil. Add the orzo and stir to coat it evenly. Stir in the minced garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until the orzo is slightly toasted and golden and the garlic is fragrant.
- Add stock and simmer: Pour in the chicken stock with the orzo and nestle the cooked chicken thighs back into the pan. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer, cover the skillet, and cook for 15 to 20 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Finish and serve: Drizzle the melted butter over the dish. Top with chopped fresh parsley and grated parmesan cheese. Serve immediately for a warm, comforting meal.
Notes
- This recipe is perfect for an easy, delicious weeknight dinner that requires only one pot for cooking and cleanup.
- Adjust the simmer time based on your stove’s heat as liquid absorption can vary slightly.
- Use fresh parsley and quality parmesan cheese for the best flavor contrast with the rich chicken and buttery orzo.
- Boneless skinless chicken thighs are used for tenderness and flavor but skin-on can be used if preferred for extra crispiness before removing skin.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about half the recipe)
- Calories: 600 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg
