Description
This Cozy Chicken Pot Pie Orzo is a comforting and hearty one-pot meal featuring tender chicken, vegetables, orzo pasta, and creamy sauce infused with herbs. Perfect for a warming dinner, this recipe combines the flavors of a classic chicken pot pie with the simplicity of a stovetop pasta dish, ready in under an hour.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Vegetables
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup frozen peas
Herbs and Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Other Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces and cook for 5-7 minutes until no longer pink. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Sauté vegetables: In the same pot, add chopped onion, diced carrots, and celery. Cook for 4-5 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook one more minute until fragrant.
- Add herbs and spices: Stir in dried thyme, rosemary, salt, and black pepper. Cook for one minute to release their flavors.
- Incorporate flour: Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir well. Cook 1-2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste.
- Add chicken broth: Gradually pour in chicken broth, stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Bring to a simmer.
- Cook orzo and combine chicken: Add orzo pasta and return the cooked chicken to the pot. Lower heat to medium-low and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally until orzo is tender.
- Add peas and cream: Stir in frozen peas and heavy cream. Heat through for 2-3 minutes more.
- Adjust seasoning & rest: Taste and adjust salt or pepper if needed. Remove from heat and let the dish rest for a couple of minutes.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the pot pie orzo before serving for a bright, fresh finish.
Notes
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to better control the salt content.
- If desired, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter version.
- Orzo can be replaced with other small pasta shapes like acini di pepe or small shells.
- For extra flavor, add a splash of white wine when adding broth.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for 2-3 days and reheat gently on the stovetop.
