Description
This creamy parmesan orzo with chicken and asparagus is a delightful one-pan meal that’s easy to make and incredibly delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest (optional)
Instructions
- Sear the chicken – Start by heating olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced chicken, season with salt, pepper, paprika, and onion powder, and cook until golden and cooked through. This step builds the savory base of the dish. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- Cook the garlic and asparagus – In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the chopped asparagus and cook for 2–3 minutes. You want the asparagus slightly tender but still bright and crisp.
- Toast the orzo – Stir the orzo into the pan with the asparagus. Let it toast lightly for about one minute. This small step deepens the flavor and gives the dish a subtle nutty taste.
- Simmer the orzo – Pour in the chicken broth and bring everything to a gentle simmer. Stir occasionally as the orzo cooks and absorbs the broth. After about 8–10 minutes, the pasta should be tender and most of the liquid absorbed.
- Create the creamy sauce – Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. The mixture will quickly become rich and silky, coating each piece of orzo. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and mix everything together.
- Finish the dish – Add lemon zest and fresh parsley for brightness. Let the Creamy Parmesan Orzo with Chicken and Asparagus simmer for another minute or two until everything is warmed through. Serve immediately while creamy and warm.
Notes
- This dish is perfect for a weeknight dinner and can be easily made in under 30 minutes.
- Add other vegetables like peas or spinach for extra nutrition.
- For a lower calorie version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 90mg