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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.
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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
Cooking in a Muslim household. What would you recommend swapping in for the wine? Made it tonight using Apple Cider Vinegar to deglaze the pan, but wondering if you have any other suggestions. It was wonderful by the way!
Chicken broth is always a good substitute when a recipe calls for wine.
Hey Rob,
You can use broth in place of the wine. Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try!! xTieghan
My son and I made this together and it was delicious! He doesn’t always help but I think he realizes now how much goes into a recipe. I think he will be helping again soon as the rewards are amazing. Thank-you
Hey Claire,
Awesome!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks a bunch for making it! xTieghan
I made this tonight, using a mix of thighs and breasts, once ingredients were gathered it was super easy to make. Because of a food intolerance I left the spinach out, added some fresh basil leaves and served the spinach as a salad to everyone that can eat it. I’m a caterer, and would definitely use this recipe on the job. Even my Irish husband with the tender tastebuds loved it.
Hey Pamela,
Happy Sunday!! Love hearing that this recipe was a hit, thanks for making it!! xxT
When my husband saw the finished dish come out of the oven, he said it looked ‘picture perfect.’ He appreciates a nice presentation but appreciated the delicious tasting meal even more! Your recipe is wonderful …we enjoyed every flavor in it! Thank you, Tieghan!
Hey Judy,
Happy Sunday!! Love hearing that this recipe was a hit, thanks for making it!! xxT
Would it make much difference to the flavor if the sundried tomatoes were left out?
From my experience tonight? No. You could replace them with sundried red peppers, or even some diced canned tomatoes, or just skip them. I also used a super cheap pinot grigio and it was fine.
Hey Laurie,
I would at least use some cherry tomatoes in their place:) I hope the recipe turns out amazing for you, let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Loved everything about this dish except possibly the oregano. I might try with herbs de Provence or thyme next time. Needless to say we devoured it!!
Hey Michelle,
Wonderful!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was a winner. Have the best weekend:) xT
So delicious! Looks and tastes gourmet, but super easy!
Hey Ashley,
Wonderful!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was a winner. Have the best weekend:) xT
This is easy and amazing!! Will make again!! 🙂
Hey Jaime,
Wonderful!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was a winner. Have the best weekend:) xT
I used chicken tenderloin and didn’t have to finish cooking everything in the oven. Just added the spinach (150gr.) at the very last moment. Such a great and tasty dish!
Hey Bea,
Wonderful!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was a winner. Have the best weekend:) xT
I’ve made this recipe 3 times and love it.
It has so much flavor!
Hi Christine,
Wonderful!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was a winner. Have the best weekend:) xT
would jasmine rice work!?
Hi Ali,
Yes, you can do that, it’s just going to take longer than the orzo to cook. Let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan
This dish sounded great, but tasted awesome!! My whole family was impressed and scarfed the whole pan up!! Next time I have to double it! This dish is stellar!
Hey Angie,
Happy Friday!! I am thrilled to hear this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for giving it a go! xxT
So delicious! A perfect winter comfort meal. My boyfriend declared it one of his favourites!
Hey Brittany,
Happy Friday!! I am thrilled to hear this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for giving it a go! xxT
This was delicious!! I used thighs, and added mushrooms and a jar of marinated artichokes. Perfect for a snowy Denver day!
Hey Elyse,
Happy Friday!! I am thrilled to hear this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for giving it a go! xxT
I saw this on IG and tucked it into my recipe app (RecipeBox which is a great recipe app). I made it tonight and it was easy and excellent. This will be something I make again and again. Thank you!
Hey Lisa,
Happy Friday!! I am thrilled to hear this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for giving it a go! xxT