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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.
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.
Do you think I could use Ditalini as a sub for orzo!? It is what I have on hand
Hey Peggy,
Sure, I bet that would work well for you! Please let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xx
Could this be a crockpot recipe?
Hey Hilary,
I haven’t tried this one in the crockpot, but here is a recipe you might enjoy:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/herb-butter-chicken-and-wild-rice/
I hope this helps, please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
First recipe I’ve made from HBH. This made for a very nice dinner. I used smoked gruyere in place of the parmesan rind and it came out delicious. I didnt use as much broth because i didnt want it so soupy and i used both apple cider and white wine. Other than that i followed the recipe. No leftover. This is a keeper.
Hey Charlotte,
Awesome! Love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for making it! Have a great weekend:)
What could I sub for onions…
Hey Sheila,
You could use shallots, they are less potent than onions or just skip them:) I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xx
Can I substitute cubed potatoes for orzo?
Hi Courtney,
The potatoes are going to cook differently than the orzo but you could definitely give it a try! I hope you love this recipe! xx
Could I use less butter? Wondering if it will turn out right. Thanks!
Hi Chantel,
Sure, that would be okay for you to do! Please let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xx
This looks delicious is there a crock pot recipe ? I am in a cook book club, we select a cookbook to cook thru each year (Sept- April) and we selected any of your cook books to cook thru this year ! Everyone is LOVING all your recipes ! Thank you !
I feel like you read my mind with this recipe. I was searching chicken and rice (orzo sounds even better) with curry earlier this week. Can’t wait to make this for the family tonight! Thank you so much for your endless recipe sharing, it’s so generous!
Awe thanks so much Kate!! I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xx
Thanks so much Mary Leigh!! So sorry, I do not crockpot instructions for this recipe, but you might like this one:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/herb-butter-chicken-and-wild-rice/
Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
Is there any substitute for the apple cider or wine, can’t use alcohol to cook
Apple cider does not contain alcohol.
Hey MJ,
So the apple cider here is just like to juice, it does not contain alcohol:) For the wine you could use chicken broth, that will work well for you! Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
Yum! Everybody at my house loved this recipe. Subbed broccolini for celery and used tarragon in place of listed herbs, cause that’s what I had hands and it was delicious!! Love the curry powder with it
Hey Lindsey,
Fantastic!! So glad to hear that this dish was a hit, thanks so much for making it and sharing what worked well for you! xT
So good! Made this tonight for the family and everyone loved it! Perfect comfort food flavors! Only thing I would change is maybe up the amount of orzo. Not one bite was leftover! I don’t think there is one recipe of yours that we haven’t loved!
Hey Bradley,
Happy Friday!!🌻 I am so glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for trying it and sharing your review:) xT
Could you make with rice for a gluten free version?
Hey Frances,
Your local grocery store should carry gluten free orzo, if not I would choose arobio rice for best results. I hope this recipe turns out well for you! xT
My family detests curry ( and cilantro )—is there another spice/herb that can be used? The rest sounds delicious! Thank you in advance!
Hey Wendy,
Well, there’s no cilantro in here so you don’t have to worry about that:) In place of the curry you could really use any blend of spices that you enjoy or just a simple salt/pepper/garlic combo. I hope you love this dish! xx
Apple cider vinegar?
Hi Laura,
This recipe calls for drinking apple cider, not vinegar:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
I’m excited to make this recipe! I love the chicken and orzo dishes, never stop!! Question: when do you remove the Parmesan rind? Also, are you removing the roasted garlic and disposing of it, or doing something to incorporate it into the dish? Thank you!
Along with these questions, do you add the garlic head as one piece?
I have never heard of adding a whole head of garlic. Someone asked I’m comments but there was no answer how to do it. Very frustrating. Do you peel it roast it first? I had to just leave it out. :(. It’s for a sick friend- I’m just hoping it’s edible. Sorry to be so dense.
I’m wondering this same thing!
Hey Sarah,
You can just put the garlic in the dish and it will infused the flavors while cooking. Please let me know if you have any other questions:) xx
Hi Gail,
Sorry, it sometimes takes a day or two to get to all of the questions:) You are just going to slice the top off the head of garlic and toss it in, the garlic will infuse the dish. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
Hey Elcy,
I do! Let me know if you have any other questions! xx
Hey Julia,
I leave both the rind and the garlic in the dish and just serve around it:) I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
This sounds so good. I’m with your family: give me all the boneless, skinless chicken!!
Thanks so much Jane!! Let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xx
Please make it clear exactly how you add the garlic… unclear
Hi Geraldine,
You are going to take an entire head of garlic, slice off the top, and add it to the dish. It will infuse the meal while cooking. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT