High Protein Chicken Orzo – creamy, one-pot chicken orzo dinner
This High Protein Chicken Orzo is the perfect blend of creamy, comforting and wholesome. Packed with lean chicken, fresh asparagus, spinach and orzo, it offers a balanced meal with plenty of flavor and nutrition. It’s quick enough for weeknights yet satisfying enough for a cozy weekend dinner. If you love healthy chicken orzo recipes, this one-pot dish will become a regular in your rotation.
Prep Time
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
Ingredients
- 1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- ½ cup diced yellow onion
- 2 cups chopped asparagus (1-inch pieces)
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 8 oz dry orzo
- 2½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
- ⅓ cup half & half
- ⅓ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- Chopped parsley and extra parmesan for garnish
Step-by-Step Instructions
➜ Season the chicken with garlic powder, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes.
➜ Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook 10–12 minutes until browned and fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
➜ Add remaining oil to the pan. Add asparagus and sauté for 2 minutes until crisp-tender.
➜ Add diced onion and minced garlic, cooking until softened.
➜ Stir in the dry orzo and toast lightly for 1 minute.
➜ Pour in chicken broth, bring to a simmer, cover and cook about 7 minutes, or until most liquid is absorbed.
➜ Add cooked chicken back into the pan along with half & half, parmesan and spinach. Stir until creamy and spinach is wilted.
➜ Serve warm with parsley and extra parmesan.
Pro Tips
Q: Can I make this ahead?
A: You can prep the chicken and vegetables in advance, but cook the dish fresh for best texture. Orzo thickens as it sits.
Q: What substitutions work?
A: Swap asparagus for zucchini, mushrooms or peas. You can also use chicken thighs instead of breasts.
Q: How should I serve it?
A: It’s a complete one-pot meal on its own, but a light salad pairs beautifully.
Nutrition Summary
This dish is creamy, protein-packed and balanced with vegetables—perfect for anyone seeking wholesome healthy chicken orzo recipes.
| Serving Size | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Fiber | Sugar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 serving | approx. 546 kcal | ~48 g | ~48 g | ~17 g | ~3 g | ~4 g |
Nutrition facts are estimated.
