One Pot Creamy Chicken Mushroom Orzo: Your Ultimate Easy Weeknight Dinner
Indulge in the luscious simplicity of this One Pot Creamy Chicken Mushroom Orzo. This dish is the epitome of comfort food, offering a wonderfully rich and satisfying dinner that doesn’t demand hours in the kitchen. Perfectly crafted for your busiest weeknights, it brings together a symphony of flavors and textures in just one pot, promising both deliciousness and minimal cleanup.
Imagine succulent, juicy chicken pieces mingling with earthy, tender mushrooms, all coated in a hearty, velvety Parmesan sauce. This incredibly simple yet profoundly flavorful meal is not only quick to prepare, being ready in about 30-45 minutes, but it’s also guaranteed to become an instant favorite for the entire family. Say goodbye to piles of dishes and hello to stress-free, wholesome dining!
💚 About This One Pot Chicken Mushroom Orzo Recipe
As a passionate cook who values both flavor and efficiency, I am an enormous fan of one-pot meals – especially when they deliver such an incredible taste experience as this One Pot Chicken Mushroom Orzo! This recipe isn’t just a meal; it’s a solution for those hectic evenings when you crave something wholesome and delicious without the usual fuss and mountain of dishes.
This delightful dish is engineered for convenience without compromising on rich, satisfying flavors. It features tender, perfectly cooked orzo pasta nestled in a luxuriously creamy Parmesan sauce. Complementing this foundation are savory, earthy mushrooms and succulent chicken, adding essential protein and depth to create a truly complete and balanced meal. The beauty of cooking everything in a single pot is not only the streamlined process but also how the flavors meld together, deepening the overall taste profile.
Orzo, with its small, rice-like shape, is an excellent choice for one-pot recipes because it cooks beautifully and absorbs all the wonderful flavors of the sauce, resulting in a perfectly tender texture every time. If you love the simplicity of this cooking method, you might also enjoy other similar dishes such as my One Skillet Ground Beef with Orzo. For more super easy and quick meal ideas, consider exploring a collection like these 12 Instant Pot One Pot Recipes, all designed to make your life simpler and your meals more delicious.
🧂 Essential Ingredients for Creamy Chicken Orzo
Preparing this incredibly flavorful One Pot Creamy Chicken Mushroom Orzo requires a handful of simple, readily available ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in building the dish’s rich taste and comforting texture. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Olive Oil: Essential for browning the chicken and sautéing the vegetables, laying the flavorful foundation for the entire dish.
- Chicken Breast: Diced into bite-sized pieces for quick and even cooking. While chicken breast provides lean protein, feel free to substitute with boneless, skinless chicken thighs for an even juicier result. Just remember to adjust your cooking time accordingly.
- Fresh Mushrooms: These contribute a wonderful earthy depth. Cremini (baby bella) or white button mushrooms are excellent choices. For a convenient shortcut, opt for pre-sliced mushrooms from your grocery store.
- Garlic and Onion: The aromatic backbone of many savory dishes, these provide their classic, pungent, and sweet flavors that beautifully enhance all other ingredients in this creamy chicken orzo.
- Fresh Herbs (Thyme, Oregano, and Parsley): A fragrant blend of fresh thyme, oregano, and parsley infuses the dish with bright, refreshing, and comforting herbal notes. Fresh herbs truly elevate the flavor profile.
- Salt and Pepper: Basic seasonings that are crucial for bringing out and balancing all the wonderful flavors in the dish. Adjust to your personal taste.
- Orzo: This tiny, rice-shaped pasta cooks directly in the sauce, absorbing all the liquid and flavors, making the dish wonderfully hearty and creamy.
- Dry White Wine: A splash of dry white wine not only helps deglaze the pan, picking up all those delicious browned bits, but also forms a key part of the rich and creamy sauce base, adding a sophisticated layer of flavor.
- Chicken Broth: The primary liquid for cooking the orzo and building the sauce. It accentuates the chicken flavor. For a vegetarian version or if preferred, vegetable broth can be easily substituted.
- Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese is folded in at the end, melting into the sauce to add the perfect amount of salty, umami-rich, and creamy cheesy goodness.
🔪 Step-by-Step Instructions to Make One Pot Creamy Chicken Mushroom Orzo
Creating this delicious one-pot meal is straightforward and requires just a few simple steps. Follow these instructions for a perfectly creamy and flavorful dish every time:
- Begin by heating the olive oil in a large pot or a spacious skillet over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, add the diced chicken and cook until it’s beautifully golden brown and fully cooked through. This searing step adds a wonderful depth of flavor. Remove the cooked chicken from the pan and set it aside.
- In the same pot (adding a little more olive oil if needed), add the mushrooms, diced onion, and minced garlic. Sauté these aromatic vegetables for about 5 minutes, or until the onions turn translucent and the mushrooms have softened, releasing their rich, earthy aromas.
- Season the vegetables with salt and pepper to taste. Then, add the dry orzo pasta to the skillet and cook for another minute or two, stirring constantly. This light toasting of the orzo can enhance its flavor before adding liquid.
- Now, pour in the dry white wine and the chicken broth. Stir everything thoroughly, making sure to scrape up any flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the pan – this step, called deglazing, adds immense depth to your sauce!
- Bring the liquid mixture to a gentle boil, then immediately reduce the heat to a low simmer. Cover the pot with a lid and allow it to cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the orzo has absorbed most of the liquid and is tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Once the orzo is cooked, remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the reserved cooked chicken, the fresh herbs (parsley, thyme, and oregano), and the shredded Parmesan cheese. The residual heat will melt the cheese into a luscious sauce.
- Mix everything until it’s thoroughly combined and the sauce is creamy. If desired, garnish with a sprinkle of additional fresh herbs before serving warm. Enjoy your effortlessly delicious and satisfying one-pot meal!
❔ Frequently Asked Questions About One Pot Chicken Mushroom Orzo
Here are some common questions to help you master this delicious One Pot Creamy Chicken Mushroom Orzo recipe:
Yes, absolutely! While its small, rice-like appearance can be deceiving, orzo is indeed a type of pasta. It’s often referred to as ‘risoni’ in Italian, meaning ‘large grains’ of rice. Traditionally made from semolina flour, just like many other pasta varieties, it has a wonderfully tender bite and easily absorbs the flavors of the sauce it’s cooked in, making it perfect for this creamy dish.
Generally, for recipes like this one-pot chicken mushroom orzo, you do not rinse the orzo. The starches released during cooking contribute significantly to the creaminess and thickness of the sauce, which is exactly what we want in this dish. Rinsing would wash away these valuable starches. However, there are some exceptions: if you’re preparing a cold orzo salad or if you plan to bake it, rinsing might be recommended to prevent it from becoming too sticky or clumping together. For our one-pot creamy recipe, let that starch work its magic!
The beauty of this recipe is its versatility with mushrooms! While all types can work, some lend themselves particularly well to the flavor profile. Common varieties like cremini (also known as baby bella) and white button mushrooms are excellent and widely available, offering a mild, earthy taste. For a more intense flavor, shiitake mushrooms can add a deeper, umami-rich note. Even thinly sliced portobello mushrooms can be a delicious, meatier option. Choose what you love or what’s freshest at your local market!
Yes, you can absolutely adapt this recipe to be dairy-free. Simply omit the Parmesan cheese. To maintain a creamy texture, you could stir in a dairy-free cream alternative like cashew cream, coconut milk (full-fat for richness, but be aware of a slight coconut flavor), or your favorite dairy-free cream cheese alternative at the end. Nutritional yeast can also be added for a cheesy, umami flavor boost without the dairy.
While this dish is best enjoyed fresh off the stove for optimal texture and creaminess, you can certainly prepare components in advance. The chicken can be cooked and diced ahead of time, and the vegetables can be chopped. You could even sauté the mushrooms, onion, and garlic a day before. Reheating the fully assembled dish is also an option, though the orzo might absorb more liquid, requiring a splash of extra broth or water to restore its creamy consistency. See our “Storage and Reheating” section for more tips!
💭 Expert Tips and Tricks for Perfect Chicken Mushroom Orzo
Achieving the perfect creamy texture and rich flavor in your One Pot Chicken Mushroom Orzo is simple with these expert tips:
- Choose Fresh Parmesan for Superior Flavor: While store-bought grated Parmesan can work in a pinch, freshly grated Parmesan cheese truly makes a difference. Its nutty, salty, and complex flavor melts beautifully into the sauce, creating a richer, more authentic taste and a smoother texture. If possible, grate it yourself from a block.
- Don’t Skip Deglazing the Pan: When you pour in the white wine and chicken broth, make sure to give the bottom of the pan a good scrape with a wooden spoon. Those browned bits stuck to the bottom, often called “fond,” are packed with caramelized flavors from the chicken and vegetables. Incorporating them into the liquid adds incredible depth and complexity to your sauce. It’s a simple step that significantly boosts flavor!
- Fresh vs. Dried Herbs: Know the Ratio: For the most vibrant and aromatic dish, I highly recommend using fresh herbs. However, if dried herbs are all you have, they can certainly be used. Just remember that dried herbs are more concentrated in flavor than fresh ones. A good rule of thumb is to use 1 teaspoon of dried herbs for every tablespoon of fresh herbs called for in the recipe. Add dried herbs earlier in the cooking process to allow their flavors to infuse.
- A Squeeze of Fresh Lemon for Brightness: Just before serving, consider squeezing a tiny bit of fresh lemon juice over your finished dish. The acidity of the lemon acts as a natural brightener, cutting through the richness of the creamy sauce and making all the flavors pop. It adds a wonderful fresh note that elevates the entire meal.
- Stir Frequently During Simmering: As the orzo simmers and absorbs the liquid, it can sometimes stick to the bottom of the pot. Stirring every couple of minutes helps prevent this and ensures the orzo cooks evenly, resulting in a perfectly creamy consistency without any burnt bits.
📌 Creamy and filling, this mushroom orzo with chicken is a delicious family meal with very little prep and hardly any dishes to wash after! It’s a fantastic choice for a quick weeknight dinner or an elegant main course for a dinner party, impressing your guests with minimal effort.
💡 Recipe Substitutions and Variations to Customize Your Orzo
This One Pot Creamy Chicken Mushroom Orzo recipe is wonderfully adaptable, allowing for various substitutions and additions to suit your taste, dietary needs, or what you have on hand:
- Mushroom Choices: While white button and cremini (baby bella) mushrooms are ideal for their mild, earthy flavor and availability, feel free to experiment with other types. Shiitake mushrooms will add a more robust, umami-rich profile, while oyster mushrooms offer a delicate texture. Even a mix of wild mushrooms can elevate the dish to a gourmet level.
- Make it Vegetarian: Easily transform this into a delightful vegetarian meal by simply omitting the chicken. For the broth, replace chicken broth with an equal amount of good quality vegetable broth. You could add extra mushrooms or a can of drained chickpeas for added protein and texture.
- Orzo Alternatives: If orzo isn’t available or you prefer a different grain, several options work well, though cooking times will vary.
- Ditalini Pasta: A small tubular pasta that will cook similarly to orzo.
- Quinoa or Brown Rice: For a gluten-free and whole-grain alternative, these will require longer cooking times and possibly more liquid.
- Riced Cauliflower: For a low-carb option, add riced cauliflower at the end of the cooking process with the chicken and cheese, letting it heat through without overcooking.
- Other Small Pasta Shapes: Small pasta varieties like macaroni or pastina can also be used.
- For an Even Richer Sauce: If you desire an extra luxurious and decadent sauce, stir in a splash of heavy cream, half-and-half, or cream cheese along with the Parmesan cheese at the end of the cooking process. This will add an unparalleled creaminess and richness.
- Boost Nutritional Value with Extra Veggies: This dish is a fantastic canvas for adding more vegetables. Consider mixing in a handful of baby spinach or chopped kale at the very end until wilted. Other great additions include chopped broccoli florets, green beans, peas, or diced bell peppers. Add firmer vegetables like broccoli or bell peppers earlier with the mushrooms and onions, and softer ones like peas or spinach at the end.
- Time-Saving Shortcuts: When time is truly of the essence, these simple swaps can shave precious minutes off your prep time:
- Use 1 ½ cups of frozen diced onion instead of dicing a fresh onion.
- Opt for 2 tablespoons of jarred, pre-minced garlic instead of mincing 3 fresh cloves.
- Substitute fresh herbs with dried versions (using the 1 teaspoon dried per 1 tablespoon fresh ratio) if you don’t have fresh on hand.
🥫 Storage and Reheating Tips for Leftovers
One of the best things about this One Pot Creamy Chicken Mushroom Orzo is how well it stores, making it perfect for meal prep or enjoying delicious leftovers:
Storage: Once your delicious meal has cooled completely, transfer any leftovers to an airtight container. Properly stored, it will keep beautifully in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days. For longer storage, this dish freezes exceptionally well. Place it in a freezer-safe, airtight container and it can be stored for up to 3 months. For best results when freezing, consider freezing in individual portions for easy reheating.
Reheating:
- Microwave: For a quick reheat, transfer a single serving to a microwave-safe dish. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring well between each interval, until heated through.
- Stovetop: For larger portions or to best preserve the creamy texture, transfer the leftovers back to a pot or skillet on the stovetop over medium-low heat.
When reheating, especially on the stovetop or if the dish appears dry, the orzo tends to absorb a lot of liquid. You may need to add a splash of extra chicken broth (or vegetable broth/water) to restore its original creamy consistency and prevent it from drying out. Stir gently until it reaches your desired texture and temperature.
If reheating from frozen, make sure to allow your one pot chicken mushroom orzo to thaw thoroughly in the refrigerator overnight before proceeding with your preferred reheating method. This ensures even heating and best texture.
🍴 What to Serve With This Comforting One Pot Dish
This One Pot Creamy Chicken Mushroom Orzo is a hearty and complete meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a simple side to round out your dinner. Here are some delicious and easy options:
- Garlic Butter Microwave Broccoli: For an incredibly fast and reliable green side, steamed broccoli tossed in garlic butter adds a fresh, vibrant crunch that complements the creamy orzo beautifully.
- Sautéed Zucchini with Walnuts: A light and flavorful option, the tender zucchini provides a refreshing contrast, while walnuts add a delightful nutty crunch.
- Air Fryer Eggplant Fries: If you’re looking for something a bit more unique and fun, these crispy eggplant fries offer a savory, satisfying side that’s less heavy than traditional potato fries.
- Bacon Wrapped Asparagus: For a touch of elegance, crispy bacon-wrapped asparagus spears add a smoky, salty flavor and tender-crisp texture that elevates any meal.
- Simple Green Salad: A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette is always a refreshing choice, offering a bright counterpoint to the rich and creamy pasta.
- Crusty Bread: Don’t forget a side of warm, crusty bread to soak up every last bit of that delicious creamy sauce!
✔️ More Effortless One-Pot Recipes You’ll Love
If you’ve fallen in love with the convenience and deliciousness of one-pot meals, here are some other fantastic recipes to add to your rotation. Less cleanup, more flavor!
- Slow Cooker Turkey Tetrazzini – A brilliant way to repurpose leftover turkey into a rich, creamy, and comforting new dish that practically cooks itself.
- One Skillet Shrimp with Couscous – Seafood enthusiasts will adore this quick and easy skillet meal, perfect for a speedy weeknight dinner.
- One Pot Meatball Stroganoff – Indulge in this comforting and filling dish featuring tender noodles, savory meatballs, and a rich, creamy sauce – a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
- One Pot Chicken Alfredo Pasta – RecipeTin Eats shares a hearty and wholesome take on classic chicken alfredo, all cooked in a single pot for ultimate ease.
Enjoying Creamy Chicken Orzo with Mushrooms?
Love this incredibly easy and delicious One Pot Chicken Mushroom Orzo recipe? I’d absolutely love to see your creations! Snap a photo of your masterpiece and tag me on Instagram. You can find me at @DizzyBusyandHungry or use the hashtag #dizzybusyandhungry!
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📋 Printable Recipe Card
One Pot Creamy Chicken Mushroom Orzo
Kristin King
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10 minutes
20 minutes
6
Ingredients
-
1
tablespoon
olive oil -
1
pound
chicken breast
, diced -
8
ounces
sliced mushrooms -
1
onion
, diced -
3
garlic cloves
, minced -
½
teaspoon
salt -
½
teaspoon
black pepper -
1
cup
orzo -
¼
cup
white wine -
2 ½
cups
chicken broth -
1
tablespoon
parsley -
1
tablespoon
thyme -
1
tablespoon
oregano -
½
cup
shredded Parmesan cheese
Metric
Prevent your screen from going dark
Instructions
-
Heat a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat and add the olive oil.1 tablespoon olive oil
-
Add the diced chicken to the hot skillet and cook until it’s beautifully golden brown and cooked through. Once done, remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.1 pound chicken breast
-
To the same pan, add the sliced mushrooms, diced onion, and minced garlic. Sauté these ingredients for about 5 minutes, or until the onions become translucent and the mushrooms are softened and fragrant.8 ounces sliced mushrooms,
1 onion,
3 garlic cloves -
Stir in the salt, pepper, and orzo pasta. Sauté for another 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly to lightly toast the orzo.½ teaspoon salt,
½ teaspoon black pepper,
1 cup orzo -
Pour in the white wine and chicken broth. Stir well, making sure to scrape up any flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the pan to incorporate them into the sauce.¼ cup white wine,
2 ½ cups chicken broth -
Bring the mixture to a boil, then immediately lower the heat to a gentle simmer. Cover the skillet with a lid and allow to cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring frequently to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking, until the orzo has absorbed most of the liquid and is tender.
-
Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the previously cooked chicken, fresh herbs (parsley, thyme, and oregano), and the shredded Parmesan cheese. Mix until everything is well combined and the cheese has melted into a creamy sauce.1 tablespoon parsley,
1 tablespoon thyme,
1 tablespoon oregano,
½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Notes
- Garnish Option: If desired, enhance the presentation and freshness by garnishing with additional sprinkled fresh herbs like parsley or chives.
- Mushroom Variety: While cremini (baby bella) and white button mushrooms work exceptionally well for their balanced flavor and texture in this recipe, feel free to use other types like shiitake or oyster mushrooms to experiment with different flavor profiles.
- Smart Time-Saving Shortcuts: For those extra busy days, here are some smart substitutions to reduce your prep time without sacrificing flavor:
- Instead of dicing a fresh onion, use approximately 1 ½ cups of pre-diced frozen onion.
- Swap 3 minced garlic cloves for 2 tablespoons of jarred minced garlic.
- If fresh herbs are not available, you can use dried herbs. Remember the ratio: use 1 teaspoon of dried parsley, thyme, or oregano for every 1 tablespoon of the corresponding fresh chopped herb. Add dried herbs with the salt and pepper.
- Parmesan Quality: For the best and most authentic creamy flavor and texture, freshly grated Parmesan cheese from a block is highly recommended. However, in a pinch, store-bought pre-grated Parmesan cheese can also be used.
Video
Nutrition
Calories:
268
kcal
|
Carbohydrates:
24
g
|
Protein:
25
g
|
Fat:
7
g
|
Saturated Fat:
2
g
|
Polyunsaturated Fat:
1
g
|
Monounsaturated Fat:
3
g
|
Trans Fat:
0.01
g
|
Cholesterol:
56
mg
|
Sodium:
784
mg
|
Potassium:
544
mg
|
Fiber:
2
g
|
Sugar:
3
g
|
Vitamin A:
217
IU
|
Vitamin C:
6
mg
|
Calcium:
140
mg
|
Iron:
2
mg
Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.
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