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This one-skillet Roasted Herb Butter Chicken and Orzo is the perfect cozy dinner. Pan-seared seasoned chicken in an herb butter gravy-like sauce. Cook the chicken together with orzo pasta for a complete dinner made in just ONE skillet. The secret here, a touch of curry powder. It adds a really nice rich flavor to this chicken and orzo dinner. 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. Oh, and be sure to add crusty bread for mopping up all the extra sauce.
And I’m back with another chicken and orzo dinner. I hope you’re not over these types of recipes that we here clearly find so delicious.
But this is a special one. It’s inspired by my mom and her love of soup, chicken, and noodles. I wanted to create an all-in-one dinner similar to the dishes we would make when I was growing up in Cleveland.
This time of year always makes me think back to those days. When I was in 2nd and 3rd grade I would get out of school almost 2 hours earlier than my brothers, at 2:45 pm. These were my greatest school days. I LOVED getting out early and having that special time with my mom.
In the late fall and winter, a lot of times my mom would cook me the Lipton noodle dishes that came in a pouch. They were noodles in a creamy chicken broth. We both used to eat them huddled by the fire, loving every bite.
We don’t cook those anymore, but I’ve always wanted to recreate the flavors.
And I finally did! Look, I’ve made a ton of skillet chicken and orzo dishes. But I’m telling you, this one might just be my favorite of the bunch. And it’s so easy.
The details
I love a one-skillet dinner, so that was key for this recipe.
Start off by cooking the onion, then add a mix of chicken breasts and thighs. I always use skinless chicken, because my family is weird and they will not eat skin-on chicken. Use whatever type of chicken you and you’re family love!
The next ingredient is what makes this dish. A small amount of curry powder. I know that sounds really odd, but the curry powder adds a bright color and subtle warm flavors that are just right. It’s almost like a golden butter chicken soup, but not quite a soup. Either way, it’s completely delicious and sets this dish apart.
Now toss in the butter, add some celery and carrots, some thyme and sage, and then pour over the apple cider and broth. Add a whole head of garlic and a parmesan rind, then place the entire skillet in the oven to finish cooking.
During the last 10 minutes is when I add in the orzo. If you want this to be brothy, you can add additional broth. We like it brothy, but still thicker than soup.
For serving
I usually add a little fresh parsley or thyme and some black pepper and sea salt. and again, crusty bread on the side is a must.
It’s a little different twist on chicken and pasta, but so, so good. And who couldn’t love how easy this is? It’s fancy, but then it’s not. Great for this time of year!
Looking for other simple? Here are a few ideas:
Crockpot Garlic Butter Chicken Meatballs with Creamy Orzo
One Pot Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Orzo
Creamy White Bean Noodle Soup with Rosemary Bacon
Mustard Herb Chicken and Creamy Orzo
Crockpot Crispy Buffalo Chicken Tacos with Jalapeño Ranch
Slow Cooker Saucy Sunday Bolognese Pasta
Slow Cooker Herbed Chicken and Rice Pilaf
Crockpot Spaghetti Squash Lasagna Bolognese
Lastly, if you make this Roasted Herb Butter 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 Roasted herb Butter Chicken and Orzo
Servings: 4
Calories Per Serving: 560 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
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Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 1 pound boneless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 teaspoon yellow curry powder
- 6 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
- 1/3 cup white wine or apple cider
- 4-5 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 shallots, halved
- 2 ribs celery, chopped
- 4 carrots, chopped
- 1 head garlic
- 3/4 cup dry orzo
- 1 parmesan rind
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 400° F.2. Cook the olive oil and onion in a large oven-safe skillet with sides, over medium heat, until fragrant, about 5 minutes. Push the onions to the side. Add the chicken and sprinkle with the curry powder. Season with salt and pepper. Add the butter, shallots, celery, carrots, thyme, and sage. Season again with salt and pepper. Cook another 5 minutes. 2. Pour in the apple cider, 2-3 cups broth, and lemon juice. Add the garlic and parmesan rind. Transfer to the oven and cook uncovered for 15 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through. 3. Pull the skillet out, add 1/2 cup of broth and the orzo. Return to the oven and cook 10-12 minutes, until the orzo is al dente. If you want more broth, add the remaining 1-2 1/2 cups.4. Serve the chicken over the orzo and broth. Top with parmesan (if desired), plus thyme or parsley.
I have made this a couple times and we love it. I did make some changes and have comments and a question. I cut up a package (20 oz) of boneless thighs into 1-inch chunks, then use only 2 1/2 cups of broth. Result is a one-dish meal, but more like a wonderful creamy casserole than a soup. But still wondering what to do with the whole head of garlic. I guess I don’t think the dish is in the oven long enough to roast a whole head of garlic to get any flavor from it. And the recipe calls for 1 pound of chicken pieces; 2 half chicken breasts are 1 pound, so may want to adjust that to serve 4 people. Anyway, it’s delicious!
Hey Peggy,
Wonderful!! Thanks so much for making this recipe and sharing your comment, so glad to hear it was a winner! The garlic really just infuses the dish:) xT
This was wonderful. I would suggest making it in a Dutch oven instead of a skillet.. there I was a lot of liquid in the skillet., kind of tricky taking it out of the oven.
Will definitely make this again.
Hi Becky,
Fantastic!!🌻 I love to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks so much for trying it out! xT
Solid. Will make again with some fresh yellow curry. I used an old curry mix and the flavor just wasn’t there; my fault, not HBH = )
Thank you1
Hi Teresa,
Wonderful!! Thanks so much for making this recipe and sharing your feedback, so glad to hear that it was a hit! xx
Do you peel or chop the garlic or just throw it in with the peel and squeeze it out after it cooks?
Hey Alexis,
You can just do the whole head of garlic, it’s going to infuse the dish while it cooks. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
Sooooo good and so easy to prepare. The whole family loved it and I will definitely make it again. I was a little leery of the curry powder but it was delicious. I may try it with dill instead of sage and thyme but it was perfect as is
Hi Elayne,
Happy Sunday! 😃 Thanks a bunch for trying this recipe out, so glad to hear it turned out well for you! xx
My husband and I absolutely loved this recipe! He doesn’t like much spice so this was perfect and so savory. I swapped out rice for orzo (stupid gluten) and I only had red wine. I’m sure the recipe is better without the substitutes but regardless it was delicious.
Hi Amy,
Fantastic!!🌻 I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your review, so glad to hear it turned out well for you! xT
I really enjoyed this recipe! Simple, rustic, yet elevated.
Hey Andrea,
Happy Monday!! I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your review, so glad to hear it turned out well for you! xx
Hi Tiegen,
I would like to make this dish tonight. I dint have any shallots. Any suggestions?
Thanks, Lynn
Hi Lynn,
You can use a small onion in place of the shallot. I hope this recipe turns out well for you! xx
Made this for dinner tonight and no surprise how delicious this was. I am on. HBH kick and feel basically like a superhero making your recipes! I have never enjoyed cooking like I do baking, so your recipes were the missing ingredient for me to find my new found love, thank you!
Hey Deb,
Happy Valentine’s Day! 💌 I appreciate you giving this recipe a try and sharing your feedback, so glad to hear it was tasty! Thanks so much for your kind message! xT
This recipe is so good! My whole family loved it so much, that I’m making it again tonight. I used a Dutch oven because my skillet is a bit small and it worked out great.
Hey Ashley,
Happy Wednesday!! Thanks so much for making this recipe and sharing your feedback, so glad to hear it was tasty! xx
Hi Tieghan,
Planning to make this recipe for dinner tonight…but I think my cast iron pan is too little for this recipe. Can I make this in a Dutch oven?
Hey Tyler,
Totally, that will work well for you! Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xx
I love this easy delicious recipe. One skillet says it all. I use a cast iron skillet and enjoy easy clean up.
Hey Alison,
Perfect!! I am delighted to hear that this recipe turned out well for you and thanks so much for trying it out! xx
Easy, delicious and cannot wait for my leftovers tomorrow!!
Hey Kaitlin,
Happy Monday!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! xT
This was sooooo delicious and ridiculously easy!! The flavors really kicked it up from a chicken soup to the next level – adding this into my recipe rotation, we just loved it!!!!
Hey Karen,
Happy Thursday! So glad to hear that you enjoyed this recipe and thanks so much for making it! xT
We just finished eating this and my husband say it was bussin !!!!
I love it too . I love to eat very clean with not that much butter but I could t resist . It is so good as easy . Thank you so much.
More healthy versions ?? 😘🤩
Hey Marisol,
Happy Wednesday! ❄️ I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your feedback, so glad to hear it turned out well for you! xT