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
I LOVE this recipe. The only change I make is cutting the pieces of chicken into strips to get the spice mixture on more thoroughly.
I was planning to make it again tonight, but forgot chicken. Has anyone tried shrimp in this recipe?
Hey Dawn,
Love to hear this! Thanks a lot for making this recipe so often and your comment! I bet shrimp would be a great addition here. Have a nice day:) xxT
This dish has so much flavor ! I’ve made it several times . I use a tsp of chicken bouillon to the water . My husband wants this fish at least once a week . Thank you 🙏
Hi Jen,
So glad to hear this recipe turned out well for you, thanks for making it! Have a wonderful week! xx
I’ve made this recipe too many times to count and every time I add or edit one or two things but I love it so much and it’s a great recipe for whenever I’m hosting- one pot, smells amazing while cooking and everyone always raves over it. Thank you for sharing!!!
Hi Lauren,
So glad to hear this recipe always turns out well for you, thanks for making it so often! Have a wonderful week! xx
I normally love every recipe on this page. I usually alter them a little, but this one was a little tasteless. I had to add extra mustard and wine, then some honey and extra spice to give it flavor. A little disappointed.
Hi Jenesa,
So sorry to hear this recipe was not enjoyed. This is actually one of our most popular recipes on the blog so I am so sorry to hear it didn’t turn out for you. xx
My oven is broken down, is there any alternative to baking this? Like leaving it covered on the stove top??
Hi Margaret,
Sure, you could finish this on the stove top with a covered lid. That should work nicely for you. I hope you love this recipe! xT
Tieghan, this is one of my family’s many favorites of your recipes. So delicious. Thanks for sharing all your yummy recipes.
Hi Maggie,
Awesome! So glad to hear this recipe turned out well for you, thanks for making it! Have a great rest of the week:) Xxx
So delicious!! I would add the entire jar of sun dried tomatoes (drained) and would maybe also add artichokes and/or mushrooms next time. Flavor is amazing and everyone loved! Another great recipe from you, as always!
Hi Laura,
Yay!! Love to hear this dish turned out well for you, I appreciate you making it! Have a great day! xx
Hi! Would you recommend swapping the heavy cream for canned coconut milk, or just leave out together?
Hi Claire,
I would recommend using the canned coconut milk. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
No notes.
Absolutely delicious even my picky 9 year old loved it. Had no leftovers. Fantastic!
Hi Daisha,
Wonderful!! So glad to hear you enjoyed this recipe, thanks for making it! Have the best weekend!☃️
Hi, My wife and I spent Thanksgiving in Texas this year. Getting to the point. My friend and I made this for dinner the day we were leaving to go home. We had fun making it. The wife’s loved it. What a great meal !!!
Hi Arvin,
Wonderful!! So glad to hear you enjoyed this recipe, thanks for making it! Have the best weekend!☃️
This was a great recipe! I also added artichoke hearts!
Hey Katie,
Thanks so much! Love to hear this dish turned out well for you, I appreciate you making it! Happy Friday! XxT
so good and easy
Hi Elle,
Happy Thursday! I appreciate you trying this recipe and your feedback, love to hear it turned out nicely for you! XxT
Our family LOVES this recipe! Fantastic!!!
Hi Danielle,
Amazing! Love to hear this recipe is a family fave, thanks for making it so often! xT
FANTASTIC!! I made this tonight and my husband said this was not only his favorite meal I’ve made, but one of the best meals he’s ever had! I love that it’s a one pot recipe. Thank you for another fantastic recipe!
Hi Kristen,
Fantastic! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe and appreciate you making it! Have a great week! xxT
Every time I make this recipe, I am BLOWN away by how flavorful and delicious it is!! I usually half the heavy cream and then measure the parm with my heart (aka lots & lots & lots) and it’s still absolutely divine. Makes great leftovers as well.
Hi Grace,
Fantastic! I’m so glad this recipe is always enjoyed and appreciate you making it so often! Have a great week! xxT
Best recipe and so easy to make! Not a big cooking person and this recipe makes me want to cook. Thank you!
Hi Kayla,
Happy New Year!🥳 Thanks so much for trying this recipe and sharing your feedback, love to hear it turned out well for you! xx