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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
Made this tonight after a long day at work. It was so simple to put together and everyone loved it. Doubled the recipe for lunches for the rest of the week. This will definitely be on repeat at our house. Thank you!
Thanks so much, Kate!! Love to hear this dish turned out well for you! Have a great evening!
Absolutely delicious! My favorite dish this winter! This is my second time making this in two weeks. I took the leftovers to my parents thinking we would lunch together! They loved it so much there was none left for me. If you haven’t made this, the aroma of it cooking is intoxicating!
Hey Jennifer,
I appreciate you giving this recipe a go, great to hear it turned out well for you!
This was everything! Doubled it for my big family, everyone absolutely loved it – thank you 🙂
Hey Beth,
Happy Monday! Big thanks for making this recipe and your comment, I love that it turned out well for you!
Made this for dinner tonight and it was so delicious! Even my picky 7 and 4 year old loved it (omitted red pepper flakes)!
Hey Mary,
Happy Monday!! I appreciate you making this recipe and your notes, so glad it was a winner!
I made this in the past and absolutely love the recipe! I’m dairy free now, what would you recommend using to substitute for the heavy cream?
Hey Sarah,
Yay!! Love to hear this recipe turned out well for you, I appreciate you making it!
I would use a milk that you enjoy or coconut cream.
Happy Sunday!
Made this for a small Christmas party last night and it was soooo good! I doubled the recipe and used chicken stock instead of water. Everyone loved it and I got two requests for the recipe. Will definitely make again!
Hey Julia,
Big thanks for making this recipe and sharing back. So glad it hit the spot!
Happy Holidays!
Delicious. Cooked regular white rice ahead of time instead of orzo and then added it to dish before putting it into casserole dish in oven. Slight modifications but chicken is so tender and everything delicious. Thanks for another great recipe 😊❤️
Hey Karen,
Thanks for the thoughtful feedback after trying this recipe, I’m happy to hear it was a win!
Happy Holidays!🎄🎁
What other cheese could work?
Hey there,
I think parmesan works best here but you could try provolone or mozzarella. I hope you love this dish!
Has anyone doubled the recipe? I have a crowd. Should I make two batches or one big one?
Hi Erin,
I would make 2 batches for best results. I hope you love this recipe! Happy Holidays!
I double it all the time and it works great. It says 1lb of chicken which is basically one big chicken breast lol. I usually make it with two or three butterflied chicken breasts and then double all the other ingredients.
Thanks so much, Carrie!
On your stories today 12/21, this recipe shows crispy prosciutto. Did you add that before you put it in the oven?
Hi Stephanie,
I did, yes! Let me know if you have any other questions!
Do you have any suggestions for making this ahead?
Hi Katie,
How far in advance are you wanting to make this? If it’s the same day, I would fully make and then warm on low in the oven covered with foil.
Please let me know if you have any other questions!
Can you make this the day before?
Sure, you could do that!
I’ve just stalled it at the point where it goes in the oven and then bake to finish. It was fine.
Absolutely delicious and easy to make!
Hey Marie,
Love to hear this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it and your comment!
Happy Holidays!🎄
I made this recipe without cream (forgot to buy!) and used chicken broth instead. It was so delicious!!! I also used dinosaur kale instead of spinach. My entire family gobbled it up! So easy too!
Hey Kendall,
Yay! Love to hear this recipe turned out nicely for you, I appreciate you making it! Happy Holidays!
Made this for dinner last night for my husband and mother-in-law. Followed the recipe exactly, and it was delicious. I’ll definitely be making this again. Thanks for another great dinner!
Hey Emily,
Happy Holidays!🎄 Thanks for your comment and making this recipe, I’m so glad it turned out well for you!
Have a great weekend!
Phenomenal! I had to omit garlic because of an allergy but this was delicious and decadent. Made everyone happy and smiling!
Hey Patty,
Big thanks for making this and sharing back. So glad it hit the spot!
Have a wonderful weekend!🎄
So good! Family favorite…Added sautéed mushrooms to it as well! Thanks!
Hey Pamela,
Wonderful! I appreciate you making this recipe and your comment, love to hear it was enjoyed!🎄
Can I substitute Greek yogurt for the cream?
Sure, that will work for you!