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This One Skillet Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken and Orzo is the perfect winter dinner…quick, easy, hearty, and delicious! Pan-seared Italian seasoned chicken breasts in a creamy sun-dried tomato and spinach sauce. Cooked together with orzo pasta for a complete dinner made in just ONE skillet. 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.
It’s hard to believe that we’re entering the second week of December and are only just two and half weeks out from Christmas…and only three and half weeks from the New Year. Where is the time going!?
As I type this up I’m getting ready to take-off for NYC. By the time you all read this, I will be in the city. I have to say, I’m really excited for this trip, but equally excited to return home on Thursday, and finally be HOME for the remainder of the year. I know many of you travel for work weekly, but as you all know, I’m such a homebody at heart. So I’m excited to have some time to enjoy the remainder of December with my family. Anyone else in the same mindset?
With that in mind, I’m always looking for the easiest recipes this time of year. The days are incredibly short and things are busy between work and holiday prep. Quick and simple dinners that everyone at the dinner table will eat are what I strive to create.
Enter this skillet creamy sun-dried tomato chicken and orzo.
To make this all-in-one dinner…
Start with a skillet. I love using a cast iron skillet, but any oven-safe skillet or even dutch oven works great. You’ll want to season the chicken up with a few dried herbs and spices…oregano, paprika, and just a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes. Then sear the chicken until it’s golden.
PS. if you don’t have a cast iron skillet, check out the current Staub giveaway we’re hosting on Instagram!
Next up, remove the chicken from the skillet, add a bit of butter, plus some shallots, garlic, and orzo. I love toasting the dry orzo pasta in butter for additional flavor. The butter browns and the orzo takes on a delicious nutty flavor.
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Moving along, add a splash of white wine. Then add pretty much everything else. Cream, a little parmesan cheese, fresh spinach and of course sun-dried tomatoes. Slide the chicken right into the sauce, then transfer the whole skillet right to the oven. Bake for about ten to fifteen minutes…
And then? Dinner is done. Yes, this is that SIMPLE.
So how does it taste?
I know simple skillet dinners can get a bad rap for being boring, but this is anything but boring. The sauce is creamy, hinted with lemon, garlic, and just a touch buttery too. The orzo is perfectly cooked and has a little nutty flavor.
And the chicken has a wonderful herbed flavor with a bit of heat from the crushed red pepper. It’s everything you’d expect out of a multi-step recipe, but made all in one skillet…and all SO GOOD.
What I love most about this recipe is the fact that it’s a complete dinner all-in-one. You have your protein, your carbs, and even your vegetables. I can serve this up on busy weeknights, but it’s equally great for holiday dinners with friends and family. I’ll be remaking this as soon as I get home. My family members are slowly starting to make their way back to Colorado for Christmas, so this is going to be on repeat.
Looking for other one skillet dinner ideas…check out these.
If you make this one skillet creamy sun-dried tomato 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!
One Skillet Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken and Orzo.
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 530 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 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or small thighs
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4-1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 medium shallot, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated
- 1 cup dry orzo pasta
- 1/3 cup dry white wine, such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1/2 cup oil packed sun-dried tomatoes, oil drained
- juice of 1 lemon
- fresh rosemary, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet set over medium-high heat. Rub the chicken with 1 tablespoon olive oil, the oregano, paprika, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. When the oil is shimmering, add the chicken. Sear on both sides until golden, about 3-5 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the skillet.3. To the same skillet, add the butter and shallot, cooking until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and orzo, cooking until lightly golden, 2-3 minutes. Add the wine and de-glaze the pan. Add 1 1/2 cups water. Bring to a boil, cook 3-5 minutes, then add the cream, mustard, parmesan, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes, stirring until the spinach has wilted. Slide the chicken and any juices left on the plate back into the skillet. Transfer to the oven and cook, uncovered for 10-15 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through.4. Serve the chicken topped with lemon juice and rosemary, if desired.
Made this for dinner tonight and everyone loved it. Will definitely make it again.
Hi Melissa,
Awesome!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am so glad to hear that it was enjoyed!! xx
Made this today using boneless skinless chicken thighs. I followed the recipe exactly, only having to add a touch of salt and pepper. It was absolutely delicious based on the raving compliments from the family. Being a one skillet meal, this will be added to my weeknight rotations.
Hey Chandra,
Awesome!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am so glad to hear that it was enjoyed!! xx
Delicious! And I LOVE that I only had one pan to wash at the end of the night. Will definitely make again!
Hi Laura,
Awesome!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am so glad to hear that it was enjoyed!! xx
Super easy and tasty dish. I love all of your one pot/pan dishes! And so does my boyfriend who is usually the one doing dishes 😉
Hey Andrea,
Happy Wednesday!! Thanks a lot for making this recipe, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed!! xT
Delicious and super easy to put together. Definitely going to keep this in the recipe box!
Hi Margaret,
Wonderful!! Love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks a lot for giving it a go:) xTieghan
This is a delicious recipe and I’m definitely adding this in my meal
Prep rotation!
Hi Sharon,
Wonderful!! Love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks a lot for giving it a go:) xTieghan
I’ve made this plenty of times and it is amazing. I was wondering if you have ever tried to do this in a crockpot and if so, how long would I cook it for? Trying to plan crockpot meals for the week!
Hey Lainey,
So sorry I have never tried this one in the crockpot, let me know if you give it a go! xTieghan
This was phenomenal! Even my picky 20-month old loved it!
Hi Lindsay,
Awesome!! I am thrilled that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! Have a great week:) xx
I diced chicken breast before cooking. This recipe is so delicious!
Hi Terry,
Happy Friday!! Thanks a bunch for giving this recipe a go, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! xTieghan
This looks unbelievable! Any chance you have recommendations if I wanted to make this nondairy? I know I know crazy request….
Hey Teresa,
You could use any non-dairy milk that you enjoy. Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan
Anyone ever used feta as a substitute for Parmesan? We have all the ingredients for this meal except the cheese.
Hey Lynn,
Sure, feta would be yummy! Let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xx
This was delicious!
Doubled the spinach and used half and halfinsteas of heavy cream. You won’t be disappointed.
Hi Isabel,
Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it!! Have the best day:) xx
this is amazing recipe I have made it several times to serve promptly however I am going to serve it for a dinner gathering Can it be made ahead of time or partially cooked?
Hey Gloria,
Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it!! Sure, you could make ahead of time and then just reheat on low. Have the best day:) xx
This is one of the best things I’ve ever made/eaten! The flavors were incredible. I used whole wheat orzo so ended up cooking on a longer side of the recommended ranges. I also used chicken breast cut into smaller pieces so it would cook more evenly. I brined the chicken breast ahead of time so it was really tender. This recipe is a 10/10!
Hey Anna,
Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it!! Have the best day:) xx
I made this tonight and it was so good! I have leftovers too which is amazing. Thank you for the awesome recipe ♥️
Hey Heather,
Fantastic!! I am so glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it! xTieghan
Absolutely AMAZING!!!! Will make this many more times. I did sub water for bone broth.
Hey Fran,
Fantastic!! I am so glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it! xTieghan