Quick Look at this Easy Chicken Pot Pie Orzo
- Ready In: 40 minutes!
- Serves: 6
- Main Ingredients: chicken, orzo, chicken broth, peas & carrots, creamer, seasonings
- Dietary Info: dairy-free, gluten-free friendly, one skillet meal
- Best For: quick and easy weeknight dinner!
- Why You’ll Love It: For years I have loved our chicken pot pie with biscuits, so this is an incredible creamy, pasta spin on that recipe. Because I also love a good, one skillet meal (looking at you Parmesan Chicken Orzo). The quick cook time, plus minimal clean-up is ideal for this busy family. Heat up the skillet and let’s make this creamy chicken pot pie orzo!
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Key Ingredients + Substitutions
Be sure to see the recipe card below for a full listing of ingredients, instructions, and estimated nutritional information.
- Chicken Breasts – highly recommend using this cut of chicken, but boneless skinless chicken thighs would also work.
- Orzo – love this quick cooking pasta that looks a lot like rice! A gluten-free version could also be used.
- Fresh Thyme – if you don’t have any, simply use about 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme.
- Creamer – for a lighter orzo pasta, I love using NutPods Unflavored Creamer (whether you are dairy-free or not) but half-and-half or heavy cream could also be used.
How To Make Chicken Pot Pie Orzo
Step 1 – Melt the butter and sautรฉ the onion and garlic.
Step 2 – Whisk in the flour and then gradually add the broth and creamer; whisking continuously.
Step 3 – Add the rest of the ingredients and mix to combine.
Step 4 – Continue cooking and mixing until the orzo is fully cooked.
Pro Tip
Stay close to the stove as the orzo simmers and be sure to stir regularly (scraping the bottom to prevent sticking). For best results, it is also a good idea to have a little chicken broth handy in order to add splashes and the orzo soaks up all that creamy goodness.
Best Ways To Serve Chicken Pot Pie Orzo
Nothing says comfort food more that serving a creamy & delicious pasta dish with some freshly baked biscuits (shout out to Annie’s refrigerated biscuits)! Feel free to sprinkle on a little more fresh thyme or parsley for a touch of green.
Chicken Pot Pie Orzo FAQs
Yes, another type of pasta or gluten-free pasta could be used but it hasn’t been tested. Therefore, the liquid to pasta ratio and cook time may vary.
Yes, rotisserie chicken can be used, however, cooking the chicken right in the skillet is not only time saving and easy but it also brings wonderful flavor!
Yes, this one pot chicken pot pie orzo can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge. When reheating, we highly recommend adding some splashes of chicken broth to bring back that creamy texture.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days. It is not recommended to freeze. The creamy pasta does not maintain a good texture when thawed and reheated.
Other One Pot Orzo Recipes You Might Like
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Ingredients
Chicken Pot Pie Orzo:
- 3 tablespoons butter, sub plant-based butter
- ยฝ small yellow onion, diced
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- โ cup all-purpose flour, sub 1-to-1 gluten free flour
- 4 ยพ cups chicken broth
- ยผ cup NutPods unflavored creamer, sub half-and-half
- 2 cups boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces (approx. 1 lb)
- 1 ยฝ cups orzo, uncooked, sub gluten-free orzo
- 1 ยฝ cups frozen peas and carrots
- ยฝ cup celery, thinly sliced, approx. 1 large stalk
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- โ teaspoon ground black pepper
- pinch of lemon zest
Optional Serving Suggestion:
- 16 ounces refrigerated biscuits
Instructions
- Optional Biscuits: If you plan to serve this with biscuits, preheat the oven and bake according to the package directions. Best to pop in the oven before starting the orzo, so they are done when it is ready to serve.
- Sautรฉ + Roux: Bring a large cast iron skillet or braising pan to a medium-high heat. Add 3 tablespoons butter to melt and sautรฉ the diced onions and 2 teaspoons garlic. Whisk in โ cup all-purpose flour to create a roux.
- Creamy Broth Base: Slowly pour in 4 cups chicken broth (about 1/3 cup at a time) and continue whisking as you pour. Then add ยผ cup NutPods unflavored creamer, whisking as this is added too.
- Combine: Now add 2 cups boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut-up), 1 ยฝ cups orzo, 1 ยฝ cups frozen peas and carrots, ยฝ cup celery, 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, โ teaspoon ground black pepper, and a pinch of lemon zest; mix to combine.
- Cook: Let it all cook, uncovered, on the stove top over medium heat for about 20-25 minutes or until the orzo is fully cooked. Be sure to keep mixing and scraping the bottom of the pan to prevent sticking as it cooks. Keep the remaining chicken broth handy to add splashes as needed. Taste and add any additional seasonings as needed.
- Serve: Enjoy immediately with some freshly baked biscuits!
Notes
- Dairy-Free: use a plant-based butter and a dairy-free creamer, like the suggested NutPods.
- Gluten-Free: use gluten-free 1-to-1 baking flour and a gluten-free orzo pasta; note that the cook time may vary a bit. I like the Delallo gluten-free orzo!ย
- Broth: the amount of broth will vary a bit, be sure to have some handy to keep adding because the orzo will keep soaking it up. If this dish sits at all before serving – definitely add a splash or two of broth to revive.ย
- Nutrition Info was only calculated for the orzo, not including the optional biscuits.
Bridget says
A perfect weeknight dinner that was so good!!