Description
One-Pot Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Orzo delivers a creamy, comforting dinner in under 30 minutes with minimal cleanup. This easy recipe combines diced chicken, tender broccoli, and orzo simmered in chicken broth, then finished with melted cheddar for a rich, kid‑friendly flavor. Perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or family gatherings, it offers balanced protein, carbs, and vegetables in a single pot, making dinner stress‑free and delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound chicken breasts, diced
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced chicken, season with salt and pepper, and sauté until browned but not fully cooked.
- Sprinkle the garlic powder over the chicken, stir to coat, then add the orzo and toast briefly for about a minute.
- Pour in the chicken broth, bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 10 minutes until the orzo is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
- Fold in the broccoli florets, cover again, and cook an additional 5 minutes until the broccoli is bright green and tender.
- Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. Adjust seasoning if needed and serve immediately.
Notes
- For a lower‑sodium version, use reduced‑salt chicken broth. Adjust cheese amount to taste
- a sharper cheese adds more punch. This dish freezes well
- reheat with a splash of broth.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: One-Pot
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 servings
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: One-Pot Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Orzo, easy chicken orzo recipe, quick broccoli dinner, one pot meals, creamy chicken pasta, weeknight dinner ideas, family friendly chicken recipes