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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.

Roasted Herb Butter Chicken and Orzo | halfbakedharvest.com

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.

Roasted Herb Butter Chicken and Orzo | halfbakedharvest.com

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!

Roasted Herb Butter Chicken and Orzo | halfbakedharvest.com

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.

Roasted Herb Butter Chicken and Orzo | halfbakedharvest.com

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!

Roasted Herb Butter Chicken and Orzo | halfbakedharvest.com

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

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
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

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.
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Roasted Herb Butter Chicken and Orzo | halfbakedharvest.com

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Comments

  1. This was delicious! Easy and full of flavor. I’ll be making it again. I only used 2 1/2 cups broth and it was the perfect consistency for our taste.

    1. Hey Mary,
      Awesome!! Love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it and sharing your review:) Happy Thanksgiving! 🍽

    1. Hey Donna,
      Totally, that will work well for you! I hope you love this dish, please let me know if you give it a try! xT

  2. I used apple cider (did not have white wine on hand) and it made the dish too sweet. I would try the white wine next before I give up on this recipe.

    1. Hey Kiana,
      Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try and sharing your feedback, so sorry to hear it was sweet for you! xx

  3. I feel like this is a silly question… after I take the pan out of the oven the first time, am I removing the chicken while the orzo cooks? Or leave in pan with the orzo when cooking in the oven?

    1. Hey Sarah,
      You can leave the chicken in the pan while the orzo cooks:) Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xx

    1. Hey Damara,
      Happy Sunday!🌾🌽 I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it and sharing your feedback! xx

  4. 5 stars
    My family loved this! I used a large electric skillet instead of an oven skillet. The chicken was done before adding the orzo, so I took it out and kept warm. Then put it back in when finished. My husband is very picky and loved it!

    1. Hey Suzanne,
      Happy Friday!!❄️ Thanks so much for making this recipe and sharing your review, so glad to hear it was a winner! xx

  5. 5 stars
    This is amazing! So good and easy to make! I did not have celery and I refused to go to the store (enter Winter storm) so I used some mushrooms instead. I also used red onion instead of shallots (enter Winter storm again). It was all so good! I cannot wait to make it again but with the celery and shallots. Delicious!

    1. Hey Vanetta,
      You are just going to cut the top off of the head of garlic and add that, no need to peel:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx

        1. Hey Patricia,
          Wonderful!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃

  6. This was a delicious recipe! Loved the curry powder too! I used boneless/skinless thighs bc that’s what I had on hand, but would be great using whole pieces of chicken.

    1. Hey Dana,
      Happy Friday!!❄️ Thanks so much for making this recipe and sharing your review, so glad to hear it was a winner! xx

  7. Can you substitute rice (white) for the orzo? Would the flavors combine well? And would you need to change the amount of liquid?

    1. Hey Sarah,
      For best results, I would use Arborio rice. Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this dish! xx

  8. 5 stars
    Yummy, hearty and easy.
    If you want it more soupy, follow exactly. If you want with no excess liquid, put 1 1/4 c orzo.
    Both flavorful. I cut up the chicken sometimes into pieces sometimes too.
    Thanks, T.!

    1. Hey Kelly,
      I truly appreciate you giving this recipe a try and sharing your feedback, love to hear that it was enjoyed!❄️ xx

      1. Hi Katie,
        You don’t have to do anything with the garlic, it does its job while the dish is cooking infusing the flavors:)

  9. 5 stars
    I just made this last night and it was a huge hit! Very delicious, full of flavor, and perfect for a cold night. It was also a very easy recipe to follow and came together very quickly. Definitely will be making this again soon!

    1. Hey Elizabeth,
      Wonderful!! I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks so much for making it and sharing your review:)

  10. Can you substitute rice instead of orzo to make this gluten-free? thinking the longer cooking time on the rice might over cook the chicken. Any recommendations?