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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.
If I wanted to make this for 8 people, can you give me the the measurements of dry and liquid ingredients needed, please. I don’t see a scale to increase the amounts here. Thank you.
Hi Barbara,
If you just move the serving size number up to 8 from 6, all of the ingredients will adjust for you. I hope this helps! Happy Holidays! xx
This was very delicious! Adding to favorites!
Hi JJ,
Happy Holidays!🎄🎁☃️ Thanks a lot for making this recipe, I’m so glad to hear it turned out well! XxT
Made this for the furst time this evening-excellent! Hard to choose just one of your recipes because they all look and sound so delicious!
Hi Pamela,
Awesome!! Love to hear you enjoyed this recipe, thanks so much for making it! Happy Sunday! xxT
Thanks so much, Pamela:) I’m so glad you enjoyed this dish! Have the best week! xT
I’ve made this about four times now. It’s incredible! Such a nice flavor and simple to put together.
My husband told me I could add it to his list of favorite means! My grandfather and dad both loved it, and even my toddler approves.
Thanks for sharing another winner! Nice to have a dish I can count on when having company.
Hi Courtney,
Yay!! Thank you so much for making this recipe so often, I am so glad to hear it has become a family favorite:) Have the best weekend! xx
This recipe was great! Looking to make again for my family for post-surgery recovery. Do you think it would keep in the freezer?
Hi Leah,
Thanks so much for making this dish and your feedback! Yes, you could definitely freeze this! Have a great week! xx
This was sent to me by my dear friend Cynthia – easy to follow directions and came out absolutely delicious! Subbed orzo for gluten free pasta – trying to keep off the holiday weight LOL! 🙂 Would love your thoughts on making a spicy version? Maybe..Calabrian Chili?!
TYSM, and happy holidays!!!
Hey Johnny,
Thanks so much for trying this recipe and your feedback, so glad to hear it was enjoyed! Sure, Calabrian chili might be a nice touch! XxT
Very delicious! I am curious if you could sub rice for the orzo. I rarely have orzo on hand but always have rice.
Will be making again!
Hi Amy,
So glad to hear this recipe was enjoyed!! The rice would work, but you may need to adjust the liquid and cook time. I hope this helps! xx
Delicious. Thank you for the recipe.
Thanks so much, Karen!! I am so glad to hear this recipe was enjoyed, I appreciate you making it! Have a great Tuesday! xx
Loved the recipe and how easy it is to make. The video ads are obnoxious though. They keep popping up while I’m trying to read the recipe and they take the entire screen making it difficult to read the instructions. In the time I’m writing this review, the ads came up 6 times. Too much.
Thanks so much, Liz! I am so glad to hear this recipe was enjoyed and appreciate you making it! Thanks for your feedback regarding the ads, so sorry for any frustrations. Have the best weekend! XxT
This recipe did not disappoint, loved every morsel!!…I did tweek just one little thing, I cut the chicken breast up into smaller pieces instead of leaving them whole, ( I used 3 breasts) I loved the use of Orzo, it cooks up so creamy and delish, wonderful recipe, going in my rotation!!
Hi Karen,
Fantastic! I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe, thanks a lot for making it! Happy Thanksgiving! xxT
Looks delicious! The directions say add 1.5 cups water. The video mentions broth. Do you add this extra liquid? Thank you!
Hi Jay,
Yes, you need to add 1 1/2 cups of water, you could use broth if you wanted. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
Can this be made ahead of time?
Hey Susan,
Sure, I would just cover with foil and reheat on low in the oven before serving. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
Delicious! I will be making this again. Thanks for your great recipes.
Hey Coleen,
Happy Halloween! 🎃 Thanks a bunch for trying this recipe and your comment! Love to hear it was a winner! XxT