This super easy Chicken Orzo Bake is the perfect one-pot meal for the whole family with just 10 minutes hands-on time and results that taste great and freeze well!
Prep: 10 minutesmins
Cook: 45 minutesmins
Resting Time: 10 minutesmins
Total: 1 hourhr5 minutesmins
Recipe makes approximately 6
Equipment Needed
9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking dish
Ingredients Needed
non-stick cooking spray
1poundorzo
3cupslow-sodium chicken broth
3cupscooked chicken(rotisserie or diced)
1cupheavy cream( or whole milk)
3cupsbaby spinach(coarsely chopped)
1pintcherry tomatoes(halved (or ⅓ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped))
5clovesgarlic(minced)
1lemon(zest and juice)
1teaspoonItalian seasoning
1teaspoonsalt
½teaspoonblack pepper
⅔cupgrated Parmesan cheese
1 ½cupsshredded mozzarella cheese
Get Recipe Ingredients
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Lightly spray a 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
In the prepared baking dish, add the uncooked orzo and chicken broth. Stir to combine.
Add the cooked chicken, heavy cream (or milk), chopped spinach, cherry tomatoes (or sun-dried tomatoes), minced garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Stir until well combined.
Mix in half of the Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses, ensuring even distribution
Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses evenly over the top of the mixture.
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10–15 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Remove the dish from the oven and let it sit for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
Gently stir the bake to incorporate any remaining liquid.
Serve warm, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese or fresh herbs if desired.
Recipe Notes
Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.
Reheating: Add a splash of chicken broth or milk to maintain creaminess. Reheat in the oven at 325°F (163°C) covered with foil until warmed through, or microwave individual portions.