Description
A flavorful and easy one pot garlic butter chicken and orzo recipe featuring golden, juicy chicken thighs cooked with buttery orzo and garlic, all simmered together for a comforting and delicious weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Cooking Base
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
Orzo and Flavorings
- 1 pound uncooked orzo
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 32 ounces chicken stock
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Toppings
- Chopped fresh parsley, for topping
- Parmesan cheese, for topping
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Heat 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a large cast iron or ceramic skillet over medium heat. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season all over with kosher salt and pepper.
- Sear the Chicken: Add the chicken to the skillet and cook each side until deeply golden brown, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Once browned, remove the chicken and place it on a plate.
- Toast the Orzo and Garlic: Leave any remaining butter or chicken grease in the skillet. If there isn’t enough, add a tablespoon of butter or olive oil. Add the uncooked orzo and stir to coat in the butter. Stir in the minced garlic and cook, stirring often, until the orzo is golden and fragrant.
- Add Stock and Simmer: Pour the chicken stock into the skillet with the toasted orzo. Nestle the seared chicken thighs back into the pan. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cover the skillet. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes, until the liquid is absorbed and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Check around 12 to 15 minutes as simmer intensity may vary.
- Finish and Serve: Drizzle the melted butter over the cooked chicken and orzo. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese on top. Serve immediately while hot and flavorful.
Notes
- This dish is an easy, one pot meal perfect for busy weeknights delivering rich flavors with minimal cleanup.
- Using bone-in chicken thighs will add more flavor but requires longer cooking time.
- You can substitute chicken stock with vegetable stock for a lighter version.
- Adjust the seasoning of salt and pepper according to your taste preference.
- The toasted orzo adds a wonderful nutty flavor and texture to the final dish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
