Next Post
This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.
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.
View this post on Instagram
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 tonight and it was sooo good! I always find myself making your recipes once I get excited for fall. ❤️
Hey Sarah,
Happy Wednesday!! Thanks a bunch for making this recipe and sharing your review, I love to hear that it was tasty!?
I really want to try this recipe, but I’m not crazy about super creamy sauces. Could I substitute in more wine or water for the cream or maybe a thickening agent instead?
Thanks and looking forward to trying it 🙂
Hey Katherine,
I would use some chicken broth in place of the some of the cream, that should work well for you! I hope you love the recipe! xTieghan
This was incredibly good…even a hit with my young kids!! I’d even make this for guests. Who knew a one pot meal could be so fancy!?
Small tweaks I made
-finely chopped the sun dried tomatoes because I hate big chunks (but these seriously make this dish!)
-used a small yellow onion as I didn’t have shallots
-added a little more cream/water because I like extra sauce
-added mushrooms (hubby hated), but it so didn’t need that. Plenty of flavor without.
Hey Jerisa,
Amazing! Thanks for sharing your feedback and making this recipe, I am so glad it was enjoyed:) Thanks for sharing what worked well for you!
Would I be able to use milk instead of heavy cream?
Hi Christie,
Totally, that will work well for you! I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xx
Can I use something in place of the orzo? Pantry is stocked with everything but that!
Hey Shannon,
Arborio rice would work well, you could also do another mini noodle. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
Made this dish for a quick week night meal. So delicious and comes together in no time! Can’t wait to make more of your recipes.
Hey Christina,
Thanks for your comment! So glad to hear that this dish was a winner, thanks a lot for giving it a go! ?xTieghan
My boyfriend and I have been making this dish since 2020. We have made this for our family and friends. This dish is so good, we always keep the ingredients on hand! Thank you, Tieghan!
Hi Ashlynn,
Amazing!! I am so glad to hear you have been enjoying this recipe, thanks so much for making it so often and sharing your feedback:)
Truly incredible. My boyfriend said this is the best thing I’ve ever made. I live in NYC so I’ve had famous Italian places like vía carota etc, but this dish honestly tops most things I’ve had at restaurants. Tieghan, do you have a collection of other recipes that require minimal chopping like this one?
Hi there,
Happy Monday!! I am thrilled to hear this recipe was a hit, thanks for trying it out and sharing your review:) Sorry, I don’t have my recipes organized in that option!
Will be making again soon!
Hi Kate,
Happy Sunday!! Thanks for your comment and making this recipe:) I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! xx
Hello! I am from the Netherlands!! and I love this recipes! my husband and kids (8 and 4)just kept eating! absolutely a delicious combination!
Hi Juliet!
Happy Wednesday! Thanks a lot for making this recipe and sharing your feedback, I love to hear that it was enjoyed:) xx
Hi! I want to make this for my sister but she is dairy free , what substitutes would you suggest for the cream and parm?
Hi Kara,
I would use coconut milk and skip the parmesan or use a dairy free cheese. Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love the recipe! xTieghan
Hi T, keen to try this! What can I substitute the wine/pino with please? We don’t consume alcohol or cook with it.
Hi there,
You can use chicken broth in place of the wine. Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xx
This is literally my husband’s favorite dish. He requests it every time I ask ‘what should I make’…well, I’m hosting a dinner party for 6 and, of course, he’s requested it. I need to add something to go with it, just so I can have more than one thing on the table. Lol. Suggestions? Spinach salad seems too easy but any HBO recipes I’m overlooking that would be a good summer addition to this dish?
Hey Shawna,
Happy Wednesday! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks a bunch for giving it a try! Here are some ideas for you:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/summer-chicken-salad/ I would skip the chicken here
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/corn-tomato-and-avocado-chickpea-salad/
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/super-green-sun-dried-tomato-herb-salad/
I would also do some crusty bread:) xx
I made this vegetarian by adding white beans. I added all the spices that were listed for the chicken to the beans. I finished it off on the stove and it was AMAZING!
Hey Kayla,
Wonderful!! Love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks for sharing your review and making the recipe!! xTieghan
Made this recipe for my family for Sunday lunch. So much flavour and everyone said how much they loved it. Will definitely make again.
Hey Jacqueline,
Happy Sunday!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!? xTieghan
I made this tonight and it was a hit with my entire family. As are every HBH dish I make! Loved the creamy orzo with sundried tomatoes. I put a ton of spinach! Thanks for inspiring us with flavor!
Hi Jessika,
Awesome!! Thanks so much for your comment and making this recipe. So glad it hear it was enjoyed! xTieghan
I have made this recipe many times and everyone always loves it. A friend is having a baby and I am making a few meals for her freezer. I made your Broccoli chicken and rice with orzo, and was hoping to include this.
Any tips for making this freezer friendly?
Hey Lindsey,
Amazing!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it and sharing your review! I’ve honestly never frozen this, I worry the orzo would get mushy! xxT