Next Post
This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.
This One Skillet Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken and Orzo is the perfect winter dinner…quick, easy, hearty, and delicious! Pan-seared Italian seasoned chicken breasts in a creamy sun-dried tomato and spinach sauce. Cooked together with orzo pasta for a complete dinner made in just ONE skillet. Truly one of those all-in-one dinners that everyone at the table will love. Great for a weeknight, but equally fancy enough to serve up at your next holiday dinner. You can’t go wrong with this warming skillet dinner.
It’s hard to believe that we’re entering the second week of December and are only just two and half weeks out from Christmas…and only three and half weeks from the New Year. Where is the time going!?
As I type this up I’m getting ready to take-off for NYC. By the time you all read this, I will be in the city. I have to say, I’m really excited for this trip, but equally excited to return home on Thursday, and finally be HOME for the remainder of the year. I know many of you travel for work weekly, but as you all know, I’m such a homebody at heart. So I’m excited to have some time to enjoy the remainder of December with my family. Anyone else in the same mindset?
With that in mind, I’m always looking for the easiest recipes this time of year. The days are incredibly short and things are busy between work and holiday prep. Quick and simple dinners that everyone at the dinner table will eat are what I strive to create.
Enter this skillet creamy sun-dried tomato chicken and orzo.
To make this all-in-one dinner…
Start with a skillet. I love using a cast iron skillet, but any oven-safe skillet or even dutch oven works great. You’ll want to season the chicken up with a few dried herbs and spices…oregano, paprika, and just a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes. Then sear the chicken until it’s golden.
PS. if you don’t have a cast iron skillet, check out the current Staub giveaway we’re hosting on Instagram!
Next up, remove the chicken from the skillet, add a bit of butter, plus some shallots, garlic, and orzo. I love toasting the dry orzo pasta in butter for additional flavor. The butter browns and the orzo takes on a delicious nutty flavor.
View this post on Instagram
Moving along, add a splash of white wine. Then add pretty much everything else. Cream, a little parmesan cheese, fresh spinach and of course sun-dried tomatoes. Slide the chicken right into the sauce, then transfer the whole skillet right to the oven. Bake for about ten to fifteen minutes…
And then? Dinner is done. Yes, this is that SIMPLE.
So how does it taste?
I know simple skillet dinners can get a bad rap for being boring, but this is anything but boring. The sauce is creamy, hinted with lemon, garlic, and just a touch buttery too. The orzo is perfectly cooked and has a little nutty flavor.
And the chicken has a wonderful herbed flavor with a bit of heat from the crushed red pepper. It’s everything you’d expect out of a multi-step recipe, but made all in one skillet…and all SO GOOD.
What I love most about this recipe is the fact that it’s a complete dinner all-in-one. You have your protein, your carbs, and even your vegetables. I can serve this up on busy weeknights, but it’s equally great for holiday dinners with friends and family. I’ll be remaking this as soon as I get home. My family members are slowly starting to make their way back to Colorado for Christmas, so this is going to be on repeat.
Looking for other one skillet dinner ideas…check out these.
If you make this one skillet creamy sun-dried tomato chicken and orzo be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
One Skillet Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken and Orzo.
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 530 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Watch the How-To Reel
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or small thighs
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4-1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 medium shallot, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated
- 1 cup dry orzo pasta
- 1/3 cup dry white wine, such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1/2 cup oil packed sun-dried tomatoes, oil drained
- juice of 1 lemon
- fresh rosemary, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet set over medium-high heat. Rub the chicken with 1 tablespoon olive oil, the oregano, paprika, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. When the oil is shimmering, add the chicken. Sear on both sides until golden, about 3-5 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the skillet.3. To the same skillet, add the butter and shallot, cooking until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and orzo, cooking until lightly golden, 2-3 minutes. Add the wine and de-glaze the pan. Add 1 1/2 cups water. Bring to a boil, cook 3-5 minutes, then add the cream, mustard, parmesan, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes, stirring until the spinach has wilted. Slide the chicken and any juices left on the plate back into the skillet. Transfer to the oven and cook, uncovered for 10-15 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through.4. Serve the chicken topped with lemon juice and rosemary, if desired.
This post was originally published on December 9, 2019
This was so good. Loved having the one pan. I made post blizzard for house guests that still had no power. Yummy! Posted pic on Instagram.
Hey Sheila,
Fantastic! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xTieghan
This recipe is amazing! I made it last night for my boyfriend and me, he absolutely loved it. I used three medium chicken thighs and it was the perfect amount for us. I did make a few changes that resulted in a really tasty dish. First, I used a large shallot instead of a medium. In my mind, you can never use too much shallot. Second, I doubled the amount of garlic and parmesan. This results in an extra creamy dish. Thirdly, I added a pinch of salt after adding the cream, dijon, and sundried tomatoes. I found the sauce can be a bit underseasoned to my liking otherwise. Finally, I took the skillet out of the oven when there were about 2 minutes left of baking time, topped the dish with rosemary, half a lemon (just the juice), and parmesan. I put the dish back into the oven to let the cheese melt for 2 minutes and it came out wonderfully. DO NOT skip topping this dish with rosemary and lemon juice, it elevates the flavor. Next time I think I will add more sun-dried tomatoes. This recipe is definitely a keeper!
Hey Kalese,
Awesome!! Love to hear this recipe was a winner, thanks for making it. Thanks for sharing what worked well for you. Have the best week:) xT
This was so very good and may be our new favorite of Tiegan’s recipes! I highly recommend finishing with the fresh rosemary and lemon juice.
Hey Anne,
Awesome!! Love to hear this recipe was a winner, thanks for making it. Have the best week:) xT
Looks fab! I don’t have a skillet, would a thick bottomed pot work? Would it need changes? Thanks!
Hey Jill,
Yes, that would be just fine to use! I hope this recipe turns out amazing for you, let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Fantastic! My husband is still talking about our meal. I did make 2 changes to save some calories. I used evaporated milk for the heavy cream and only 1 tbs of butter. I love your recipes! Thank you for enhancing my dinner game.
Hey there,
Thanks a lot for giving this recipe a try, I am glad to hear that it was enjoyed. Have the best weekend!! xTieghan
Another winner from HBH! Saw this on TikTok, and knew I had to make it. We followed the recipe exactly. As my husband proclaimed, it was perfect and cozy for a cold, Nor’easter day.
Hey Megan,
Awesome!! Love to hear this recipe was a winner, thanks for making it. Have the best week:) xT
This recipe is definitely a keeper. Super delicious!
Hey Glenna,
Thanks a lot for giving this recipe a try, I am glad to hear that it was enjoyed. Have the best weekend!! xTieghan
Just made this and it was DELICIOUS! The chicken was cooked to perfection but the best part was the orzo. So yummy!
Hey Taylor,
Happy Friday!! Love hearing that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for giving it a try! xxT
Wow!! What an incredible recipe! I have 3 kids under the age of 6 & they gobbled this right up, said “this is delicious”, “it should be in a restaurant!” Thank you for a yummy, easy meal that we are adding to our meal rotation!
Hey Alyson,
Happy Friday!! Love hearing that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for giving it a try! xxT
Loved this recipe! I added more sun dried tomatoes based on the comments. I might add more parmesan next time. Excellent!!
Hey Sharon,
Happy Friday!! Love hearing that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for giving it a try! xxT
Made this for dinner and used skim milk instead of the cream added extra sun dried tomatoes. My husband took leftovers for lunch today it is that good. Definitely making this receipt again and again. Loved it!
Hey Janice,
Awesome! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it! xTieghan
Make this now!! I added much more spinach and would add more sun dried tomatoes next time. It was delicious!!
Hey Hannah,
Awesome! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it! xTieghan
Delicious one skillet meal. I used 4 chicken thighs and it was enough for 4 meals. I loved the creamy sauce and orzo is always a winner in my book. Super easy to make.
Give it a try.
Hey Pat,
Awesome! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it! xTieghan
Thank you, this is wonderful!
Hi Josh,
Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am thrilled to hear it was enjoyed. Thanks for sharing your comment! xTieghan
So good! It was my first time cooking a recipe from here and I am so excited to try more!!!
Hey Maria,
Awesome! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it! xTieghan
What can I use to substitute the cream to cut back on the fat content?
I would love to know as well! Trying to make recipes a little healthier, would a skim milk work?
Hey Angela,
Yes, skim milk will work here! xTieghan
Hey Karen,
Skim milk will work well for you. Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope it turns out amazing for you! xTieghan
This is on my list for dinners this week. My husband is lactose intolerant, could I leave out the cheese? I typically use plain almond milk yogurt in place of heavy cream/sour cream. Thanks!
Hey Amy,
Yes, that would be fine to do. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan