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This simple Skillet White Pesto Chicken and Orzo is the perfect winter dinner. Quick, easy, and so delicious! Pan-seared Italian seasoned chicken in a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce. Cooked together with orzo pasta for a quick dinner made in one skillet. Everyone at the dinner table loves this dish. It’s great for a weeknight but fancy enough to serve up at your next holiday dinner. It’s a hit all around!
Ingredients
- Oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
- Boneless chicken breasts or thighs
- Kosher salt and black pepper
- All-purpose flour
- Italian seasoning
- Salted butter
- Garlic
- Dry orzo pasta
- Chili flakes
- Chicken broth
- Heavy cream
- Basil pesto
- Parmesan cheese
- Fresh thyme
December is always the craziest month. It’s my favorite month of the year but also the busiest. And this December has been a lot. But I’m so thankful for it and loving every second of the chaos!
On top of multiple work trips and my day-to-day schedule, there’s been holiday fun, and most of my brothers are now in town. My parent’s house is once again full! Per usual, this means they’re all looking for dinner. I always try to have simple recipes like this skillet chicken on rotation this time of year! Easy dinners are key to keeping everyone happy and well-fed!
Lately, everyone has requested the recipe I shared for Smothered Chicken a few months ago. They love that dish, especially the creamy sauce.
When I set out to make this, I used that recipe as my base. But then I turned it into a quick-cooking spicy Italian dinner with lots of delicious basil pesto in the mix!
Here are the details
Step 1: the sun-dried tomatoes
Start with the sun-dried tomatoes. I love using a jar of oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes. Not only are the tomatoes delicious, but I also use the oil from the jar to cook the chicken. The oil is always seasoned, so it adds even more flavor. Just make sure it’s extra virgin olive oil.
Most people will discard the oil, but you must use it! It adds a lot of flavor to recipes.
Step 2: season and sear the chicken.
Sear the chicken with salt and pepper. Then, take each piece and dip it through some flour. The flour gives the chicken a coating for the yummy sauce to stick to. Additionally, the flour on the chicken will help to thicken the sauce.
Pan-sear the chicken in the oil from the sun-dried tomato jar. Then, just before pulling the chicken out of the skillet, sprinkle each piece with Italian seasoning.
It’s a delicious mix and makes the chicken very flavorful.
Step 3: the orzo
When you pull the chicken out, add the orzo and some garlic. Then toss in some butter too. Let the butter toast around the dry 0rzo and add the chicken broth and cream.
Then mix in the pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, and the chicken.
Step 4: bake
Next, add the parmesan cheese and take the whole skillet and put it in the oven to finish baking.
It’s going to smell wonderful as you pull the skillet out of the oven. Like your favorite Italian restaurant!
This dish is everything you’d expect out of a multi-step recipe, but made in way less than an hour. Plus, everything is made in one pot. Simple, simple – and we love that.
You can serve this up on busy weeknights, but I think it’s equally great for holiday dinners with friends and family. I’m sure I’ll be remaking this over the holidays; we’re having a very special Christmas this year.
Looking for winter pasta recipes? Here are a few ideas:
Pesto Tortellini Zuppa Toscana
Creamy Roasted Garlic Butternut Squash Pasta
One Pot French Onion Pasta with Crispy Prosciutto
Basil Parmesan Pasta with Crispy Chicken, Prosciutto, and Arugula
Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta
Lastly, if you make this Skillet White Pesto 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!
Skillet White Pesto Chicken and Orzo
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 437 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
- 1/2 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, oil drained
- 6 boneless chicken breasts or thighs
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 cloves garlic chopped
- 1 cup dry orzo pasta
- chili flakes
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup basil pesto
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 400° F. Drain 3 tablespoons of oil from the sun-dried tomato jar into a large skillet with sides. Chop the sun-dried tomatoes and set aside.2. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Add the flour to a shallow bowl. Dredge the chicken through the flour and toss to coat.3. Set the skillet with oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sear on both sides until golden, 3-5 minutes per side. Sprinkle the chicken with 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning. Remove the chicken from the skillet to a plate.4. To the same skillet, add the butter, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, garlic, orzo, and season with chili flakes. Cook until lightly golden, 2 minutes. Add the broth. Bring to a boil, cook for 3-5 minutes, then add the cream, pesto, and sun-dried tomatoes. Slide the chicken and any juices left on the plate back into the skillet. Sprinkle over the parmesan. Transfer to the oven and cook, uncovered, for 10 minutes, until the sauce is bubbling around the chicken.5. Serve the chicken, orzo, and sauce topped with thyme. YUM.
Notes
Italian Seasoning: Mix 2 tablespoons dried basil, 2 tablespoons dried oregano, 2 teaspoons dried thyme, 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, and 1 teaspoon dried sage. Store in a sealed container.
This post was originally published on December 14, 2023
Would this taste good with milk instead of cream, maybe with a roux?
Hi there! Yes, that should work fine! xT
Why do you sear the chicken before dredging it in flour? I’m hesitant to try it because that doesn’t make sense to me.
Do you have any recommendations for a dairy free version? Unfortunate allergy in our household 😩
Hi Jackie! You could use coconut milk! xT
made this last night – fantastic and easy 🙂 lots of compliments
Thanks so much Pam! 🙂 xT
First time trying one of your recipes! Oh my gosh! Absolutely delicious! So tasty! Can’t wait to try more!
Thanks so much for trying out the recipe! Have a wonderful holiday season! xT
This recipe was absolutely delicious! It was an instant hit with my husband, so I’m sure it’ll become a regular at our house. Thank you so much!
Thanks so much for trying out the recipe! Have a wonderful holiday season! xT
I don’t usually comment on recipes but I had to come back and say YUM.
Thank you so much Jordie! xT
This was GREAT!! Lots of subtle flavors. Everyone loved it, which is a miracle around here. We’ll make this again, definitely.
Hey Stephanie! Thanks so much for trying out the recipe! Have a wonderful holiday season! xT
Hi!! I’m curious if you could sub orzo for gnocchi and how that would change the broth/cream measurements?
Thanks in advance!
Had it with orzo last week and it was delicious!
Hi there! I haven’t ever tried that before so I can’t say for sure! So sorry! xT
Delicious. Even my fussy husband liked it. It did take me longer to cook than the directions stated as the orzo wasn’t done and the sauce hadn’t thickened enough at 10 minutes, but it was worth the extra few minutes in the oven.
Thanks so much for trying out the recipe! Have a wonderful holiday season! xT
So good and so fast to throw together. Great weeknight one pan meal!!
Thanks so much for trying out the recipe! Have a wonderful holiday season! xT
SO delicious and easy! The whole family loved it.
Thanks so much for trying out the recipe! Have a wonderful holiday season! xT
This was great and very easy to assemble. My only problem was I’m not used to putting pans in the oven…thus after my hubby took it out of the oven I grabbed the handle. Will make it again but transfer all to a casserole. For some reason my brain doesn’t register the handle is HOT!!! P. S. I’m married to a safety professional besides…this didn’t go over well!
Hi! Oh no I am so sorry I hope you’re okay! xT
So delicious! My family raved about it! Will definitely be making his again soon! Thank you so much!
Thanks so much for trying out the recipe! Have a wonderful holiday season! xT
Made this for dinner Sunday night. It was absolutely delicious! I will definitely be making this chicken dish again – very soon!
Thank you for trying out this recipe! So glad to hear it was enjoyed! xT
I made this tonight for my boyfriend and I and we loved it. Easy and delicious. I used 1/2 and 1/2 instead of heavy cream.
Thank you Lisa! xT