Could I replace orzo with another pasta?

Of course! Small pasta shapes like ditalini or acini di pepe work well, too.

What can I use instead of coconut milk?

If you don't have coconut milk, heavy cream is a great dairy-based option.

Is there a gluten-free way to make this?

Yes, swap in gluten-free orzo and ensure your broth is certified gluten-free.

What’s the total time to make this?

From prepping to finishing, it should take about 30 minutes.

Can I prep this ahead of time?

It's best fresh, but you can make it up until the spinach step and reheat when ready.

Easy Creamy Chicken Dish - Comforting, Tasty, and Quick!

Creamy chicken served with orzo, garnished with fresh herbs and a rich sauce, ideal for dinner. | cookwithcarla.com

Spice up your mealtime with this mouthwatering One-Pan Chicken with Risoni that's gone viral across the internet. This Italian-flavored creation mixes juicy chicken, velvety sauce, and al dente orzo with tangy sun-dried tomatoes and vibrant spinach, all cooked together. It got its funny name because people say it tastes so amazing it could make someone pop the question - a perfect mix of garlicky, cheesy goodness with Italian herbs that make something truly special. Whether you're cooking for your partner or just want something super tasty, this dish gives you fancy restaurant vibes without much work or fuss.

Key Ingredients Breakdown

Boneless chicken breast: cut into chunks
Sun-dried tomatoes: for bold flavor
Fresh garlic cloves: adds wonderful smell
Quality parmesan cheese: makes it creamy
Orzo (risoni) pasta: soaks up all flavors

Step-by-Step Cooking Guide

Step 1: Chicken Preparation

Dry chicken completely with paper towels
Add plenty of spices
Brown until golden outside

Step 2: Building Flavors

Mix in flavor boosters gently
Brown orzo before adding liquid
Start your sauce base

Step 3: Final Assembly

Mix in fresh spinach
Stir in cheese bit by bit
Taste and adjust salt

A tasty portion of chicken with risoni pasta, topped with green herbs and swimming in rich sauce, perfect for date night dinner. | cookwithcarla.com

Amazing Sauce Secrets

Getting your sauce just right means watching your heat and mixing things well. The starch that comes from cooking the orzo helps make the sauce thick, while adding cream slowly keeps it from breaking apart. This careful method gives you a smooth, fancy sauce that sticks nicely to everything on your plate.

Keeping Leftovers Fresh

Keep any extras in a sealed container for about 3 days. When warming up, add a little cream or chicken stock to make the sauce smooth again. Don't put it in the freezer as this can make your creamy sauce separate and look weird.

Foods That Go Well Together

Crunchy bread with garlic butter
Simple green side salad
Chilled glass of white wine
Oven-baked veggies
Chopped fresh herbs

A scrumptious bowl of chicken and risoni pasta garnished beautifully, showing off its rich sauce and inviting appearance. | cookwithcarla.com

Final Thoughts

This One-Pan Chicken with Risoni brings together comfort food and fancy dining perfectly. Whether you want to wow someone special or just enjoy a fantastic dinner, this simple dish gives you restaurant-quality food without much work. Just remember to take your time with the sauce and watch your temperatures carefully. Nail these basics and you'll create something so tasty it might just make someone fall in love!

Recipe FAQs

→ Could I replace orzo with another pasta?: Of course! Small pasta shapes like ditalini or acini di pepe work well, too.
→ What can I use instead of coconut milk?: If you don't have coconut milk, heavy cream is a great dairy-based option.
→ Is there a gluten-free way to make this?: Yes, swap in gluten-free orzo and ensure your broth is certified gluten-free.
→ What’s the total time to make this?: From prepping to finishing, it should take about 30 minutes.
→ Can I prep this ahead of time?: It's best fresh, but you can make it up until the spinach step and reheat when ready.

One-Pan Creamy Chicken Meal

A no-fuss creamy chicken and orzo meal that's great for busy evenings.

Prep Time

5 min

Cook Time

25 min

Total Time

30 min

By: Carla Rodriguez

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Italian

Yield: 6 Servings (1 meal)

Dietary Preferences: Gluten-Free

Ingredients

→ Base Ingredients

01 4-5 cloves of garlic, smashed into a paste

02 2 tablespoons of olive oil

03 2 teaspoons sweet paprika

04 ¾ cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained of oil

05 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

06 2 teaspoons of Italian mixed herbs

07 1 cup of orzo pasta (risoni)

08 ½ teaspoon coarse kosher salt

09 ¾ cup creamy coconut milk or rich heavy cream

10 2 ¾ cups water or chicken broth

→ Protein

11 1.5 pounds of chicken breast, boneless and skinless, cut into small cubes

→ Toppings & Finishing Touches

12 ¾ cup shredded Parmesan cheese

13 2 generous handfuls of fresh spinach leaves

Steps

Step 01

Dry the chicken well using paper towels, then chop it into small, even chunks perfect for cooking.

Step 02

On medium heat, heat up a large pan, then pour in the olive oil. Let it warm just until it starts to shimmer gently.

Step 03

Toss the chicken chunks into the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring now and then. Let it start browning, but don’t worry about cooking it all the way through yet.

Step 04

Throw in the garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, mixed Italian herbs, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together and cook for around 3-4 minutes until you smell the garlic and everything starts coming together.

Step 05

Pour in the orzo along with the water or broth. Mix everything well, then drop the heat to medium-low. Cover it up and let simmer for around 12 minutes, giving it a stir every so often so nothing sticks.

Step 06

Once the liquid is mostly soaked up by the orzo, stir in the creamy coconut milk (or heavy cream) and toss in the spinach leaves. Keep stirring until the spinach softens and blends with the sauce nicely.

Step 07

Sprinkle on the Parmesan cheese and give everything a gentle stir so it melts into the dish, making the sauce velvety smooth.

Step 08

Take the pan off the heat and dish it out while still warm. It’s a satisfying and flavorful meal in one pan that’s hard to beat!

Notes

Drying the chicken before cooking makes it brown better and taste great.

Stir the orzo gently as it cooks so it doesn’t stick to the pan.

Let the dish sit off the heat for a bit before serving if you want it to thicken up more.

Required Equipment

Large pan

Absorbent paper towels

A wooden spoon or spatula

Allergen Information

Double-check every ingredient for potential allergens and consult a healthcare professional if unsure.

Includes dairy from Parmesan and coconut milk/heavy cream.
Can be gluten-free if you choose gluten-free orzo.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

This data is for informational purposes only and doesn’t replace medical advice.

Calories: 350
Fat: 18 g
Carbs: 25 g
Protein: 30 g