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This simple Skillet White Pesto Chicken and Orzo is the perfect winter dinner. Quick, easy, and so delicious! Pan-seared Italian seasoned chicken in a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce. Cooked together with orzo pasta for a quick dinner made in one skillet. Everyone at the dinner table loves this dish. It’s great for a weeknight but fancy enough to serve up at your next holiday dinner. It’s a hit all around!
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Ingredients
- Oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
- Boneless chicken breasts or thighs
- Kosher salt and black pepper
- All-purpose flour
- Italian seasoning
- Salted butter
- Garlic
- Dry orzo pasta
- Chili flakes
- Chicken broth
- Heavy cream
- Basil pesto
- Parmesan cheese
- Fresh thyme
December is always the craziest month. It’s my favorite month of the year but also the busiest. And this December has been a lot. But I’m so thankful for it and loving every second of the chaos!
On top of multiple work trips and my day-to-day schedule, there’s been holiday fun, and most of my brothers are now in town. My parent’s house is once again full! Per usual, this means they’re all looking for dinner. I always try to have simple recipes like this skillet chicken on rotation this time of year! Easy dinners are key to keeping everyone happy and well-fed!
Lately, everyone has requested the recipe I shared for Smothered Chicken a few months ago. They love that dish, especially the creamy sauce.
When I set out to make this, I used that recipe as my base. But then I turned it into a quick-cooking spicy Italian dinner with lots of delicious basil pesto in the mix!
Here are the details
Step 1: the sun-dried tomatoes
Start with the sun-dried tomatoes. I love using a jar of oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes. Not only are the tomatoes delicious, but I also use the oil from the jar to cook the chicken. The oil is always seasoned, so it adds even more flavor. Just make sure it’s extra virgin olive oil.
Most people will discard the oil, but you must use it! It adds a lot of flavor to recipes.
Step 2: season and sear the chicken.
Sear the chicken with salt and pepper. Then, take each piece and dip it through some flour. The flour gives the chicken a coating for the yummy sauce to stick to. Additionally, the flour on the chicken will help to thicken the sauce.
Pan-sear the chicken in the oil from the sun-dried tomato jar. Then, just before pulling the chicken out of the skillet, sprinkle each piece with Italian seasoning.
It’s a delicious mix and makes the chicken very flavorful.
Step 3: the orzo
When you pull the chicken out, add the orzo and some garlic. Then toss in some butter too. Let the butter toast around the dry 0rzo and add the chicken broth and cream.
Then mix in the pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, and the chicken.
Step 4: bake
Next, add the parmesan cheese and take the whole skillet and put it in the oven to finish baking.
It’s going to smell wonderful as you pull the skillet out of the oven. Like your favorite Italian restaurant!
This dish is everything you’d expect out of a multi-step recipe, but made in way less than an hour. Plus, everything is made in one pot. Simple, simple – and we love that.
You can serve this up on busy weeknights, but I think it’s equally great for holiday dinners with friends and family. I’m sure I’ll be remaking this over the holidays; we’re having a very special Christmas this year.
Looking for winter pasta recipes? Here are a few ideas:
Pesto Tortellini Zuppa Toscana
Creamy Roasted Garlic Butternut Squash Pasta
One Pot French Onion Pasta with Crispy Prosciutto
Basil Parmesan Pasta with Crispy Chicken, Prosciutto, and Arugula
Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta
Lastly, if you make this Skillet White Pesto 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 White Pesto Chicken and Orzo
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, oil drained
- 6 boneless chicken breasts or thighs
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 cloves garlic chopped
- 1 cup dry orzo pasta
- chili flakes
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup basil pesto
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 400° F. Drain 3 tablespoons of oil from the sun-dried tomato jar into a large skillet with sides. Chop the sun-dried tomatoes and set aside.2. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Add the flour to a shallow bowl. Dredge the chicken through the flour and toss to coat.3. Set the skillet with oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sear on both sides until golden, 3-5 minutes per side. Sprinkle the chicken with 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning. Remove the chicken from the skillet to a plate.4. To the same skillet, add the butter, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, garlic, orzo, and season with chili flakes. Cook until lightly golden, 2 minutes. Add the broth. Bring to a boil, cook for 3-5 minutes, then add the cream, pesto, and sun-dried tomatoes. Slide the chicken and any juices left on the plate back into the skillet. Sprinkle over the parmesan. Transfer to the oven and cook, uncovered, for 10 minutes, until the sauce is bubbling around the chicken.5. Serve the chicken, orzo, and sauce topped with thyme. YUM.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Yet another one of Tiegan’s recipes that was never checked. Calls for 1/4 C of flour that is nowhere in the recipe. We need more orzo (1.5 C) and white wine for the sauce.
Hi Jill,
Thanks for trying this recipe and sharing your feedback. The flour is used in step 2:) Sorry to hear you needed some more orzo and wine. x
Family loved it! Easy, tasty weeknight meal.
Hey Jennifer,
Happy Wednesday! I appreciate you giving this recipe a try and your comment, so glad it turned out nicely for you! x
I made this for my family, and it was a huge hit. Everyone asked for this recipe to be added to the rotation. Thank you!!!
Hey Rachel,
Awesome! So glad to hear this dish was a hit, thanks a lot for trying it out! xx
This was the second time I made this – it’s a great recipe! This time I added sliced / sauteed zucchini (slightly under cooked so it would finish in the oven). Spinach would be great too!
Hey D,
Awesome! So glad to hear you have been enjoying this recipe, thanks a lot for making it! xT
Made this tonight and it was hit all around. They all cleaned their plates, went back for seconds and polished off the whole pan. I even saw my son licking his plate at one point.
Hi Ashley,
I appreciate you making this recipe and your comment, so glad it was enjoyed! Have a great weekend! Xx
Delicious! I made my own pesto following the recipe in one of the HBH cookbooks and also added spinach before baking. I will definitely be making this again!!!
Hey Paige,
Happy Friday!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it and your comment! Xx
I think I have already commented on this one but I just have to say that it’s my all time favourite. Can’t make this recipe enough. I probably make it about two times a week it’s that good and so simple and easy to make. I usually add mushrooms if I have them on hand.
Hey Erna,
Wonderful! I am so glad to hear that this recipe is always enjoyed and appreciate you making it so often and your feedback! xT
We love this recipe! I would like to take it as a freezer meal to a friend. Does it freeze well and would you fully cook it first and then put it in the freezer? Thanks!
Hey Lauren,
So glad you have been enjoying this recipe! Yes, I would fully cook it and then freeze. Your friend can reheat in the oven while it is covered. I hope this helps! xx
Can I make this the night before to serve on Easter?
Hi Shane,
Sure, I don’t see why not. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xx
This was delicious!! Thank you Tiegan.
Thanks so much Yassie! So glad this recipe was enjoyed! xT
Absolutely delicious! Another winner from Tieghan.
Hey Christine,
Amazing!! I am so glad this dish was a hit, thanks so much for trying it:) xT
Amazing recipe! Followed exactly as is but added spinach. Delicious!! Will definitely make again
Hey Elizabeth,
Wonderful!! Love to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks for trying it! Have a great Sunday! xx
Can I use rice instead of Orzo?
Hi Grace,
Arborio rice is going to work best for you here:) Let me if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xT
Can I use 2% milk instead of heavy cream?
Hi Cheryl,
Yes, that should be just fine for you to use! I hope you love this recipe! xT
I’m making this for my boyfriend’s friends next week and I am trying to figure out a way to work in a vegetable or one that would be a good side. Any idea?
Hey Kaitlyn,
How about a side salad?
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/lemon-garlic-roasted-broccoli-salad/
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/citrus-avocado-salad/
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/roasted-cauliflower-salad/
I think these would be some great options for you! I hope this helps! xT