Quick and delicious Creamy Parmesan Orzo with Chicken and Asparagus that can be on your dinner table in only 30 minutes! Cheesy, creamy, delicious goodness!
This creamy, cheesy, Parmesan orzo is my kind of dish and the kind of dish I could have every single night for lunch or dinner. What’s not to like? You’ve got your proteins, your veggies, and my favorite part, the Parmesan orzo.
This dish is everything. This is all I need to be a happy girl.
But you know what’s great about this Parmesan orzo? Is how easy it is to make and how quick. Orzo takes only about 10 minutes to cook! And yes, orzo is a pasta, not rice as some may think. But this dish could be made with rice as well, it will just take a little bit longer to cook.
Orzo is perfect for when you want a quick dinner, or a quick side dish and don’t want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen, because who does? As much as I love cooking, I still always look for quick and easy meals. Baking on the other hand, is a different story which I’ll leave for another time.
Give this Parmesan Orzo with Chicken a try, you’ll love it!
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Creamy Parmesan Orzo with Chicken and Asparagus
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast boneless and skinless (about 3)
- 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
- 1/2 tsp pepper or to taste
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup asparagus chopped
- 1 large onion chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 cups orzo uncooked
- 2 cups half and half
- 3 cups chicken broth low sodium, or water
- 1 1/2 cups Parmesan cheese grated
- 2 tbsp parsley chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper and paprika on both sides.
- In a large skillet heat the 2 tbsp of olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for about 5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Depending on the thickness of your chicken you might need longer time. Transfer the chicken to a warm plate; set aside.
- In the same skillet add the asparagus and saute for about 3 minutes, just until it starts to soften and starts to brown a bit. Transfer to a plate; set aside.
- In the same skillet add the onion and garlic and saute for about 3 minutes until the onion is translucent and the garlic becomes aromatic. Add more olive oil if needed.
- Add the orzo to the skillet and saute for just one minute, to get it a little toasted, this will give it a nutty flavor. Add the half and half, chicken broth and stir.
- Bring to a boil, then turn the heat down to a medium-low, cover with lid and let it cook for 10 minutes.
- Remove the lid and stir in the Parmesan cheese. Taste for seasoning and adjust with salt and pepper.
- Add the asparagus back and stir it in. Slice the chicken into thin slices. You can either add it to the skillet and stir it in, or as seen in the photos, arrange over the orzo.
- Garnish with more Parmesan cheese if preferred, and parsley. Serve warm.
NN says
I have very picky eaters in my family and this dish is a family favorite for all 5 of them. Although I did substitute broccoli for asparagus. Delish!
Annie says
Delicious! Substituted the asparagus for green beans and made it with 1/2 cup 1% milk and 1 1/2 cups of cooking cream (’cause it’s what I had). Also made it with pork loin instead of chicken. I will definitely be making this again, everone LOVED it 🙂 Thank you.
Kate says
This is one of my favorite go-to recipes- it’s quick, easy, and delicious!
Dawn Conklin says
Orzo is something I always forget about when making dinner – ok I have to admit that this is the first time I cooked with it! This is delicious 🙂 The whole family agrees here too. I mixed 1 cup milk and 1 cup heavy cream due to the fact that I thought I had more half and half then I really did – can’t run out for coffee or there will be an unhappy camper in the house. I was worried that just milk would be a little thin and I always have heavy cream in my fridge.
Joanna Cismaru says
I’m so happy to hear you guys enjoyed this recipe! 🙂
Taylor says
Can almond milk be substituted for the half and half? That is what I happen to have.
Riley Samuelson says
You can, but the sauce won’t taste nearly the same! You won’t get as much flavor and creaminess.
Jessica says
This sounds divine and I can’t wait to try it!! Quick question though: could I substitute whole milk for the half & half if it’s not on hand? Or would it be too soupy and not creamy?
Joanna Cismaru says
It should be fine.
Lela says
I feel stupid, asking this question, but what is orzo? & do you know any lamb balls recipes? Thanks Lela
Joanna Cismaru says
Orzo is a small shaped pasta, looks like rice, but it’s actually pasta. I have this recipe for lamb meatballs: https://www.jocooks.com/main-courses/baked-lebanese-lamb-meatballs/
Christine says
Love this recipe!! <3 My family loves this and cleans the pan every time I make it! It is so nice to have a yummy new recipe to share when family or friends come for dinner! 😀 Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe with us!!
Joanna Cismaru says
My pleasure, so glad you like it!
Brittany Putnam says
Made this before and it was amazing. Recently moved and no one carries Orzo, what would be a good substitute?
Joanna Cismaru says
Rice or any other small shaped pasta.
Tricia Diaz says
Great recipe. A big hit with our family of five. I am sure I will get requests for it in the future. I did not make any changes, it was tasty!
Crystal says
So delicious and easy! Adding this to our family dinner rotation!
Juli K says
Absolutely delicious. My daughter loves orzo so I decided to try this recipe with her in mind and am so glad I did. I can’t wait to eat my leftovers for lunch today. Everyone thought it was delicious. I will definitely be making it again. My family loves asparagus, but if you don’t have that on hand broccoli would be great too.
Joanna Cismaru says
I’m so happy to hear this and thank you for taking the time to let me know. 🙂
Helen says
How many servings to this?
Joanna Cismaru says
There are 6 servings, it’s in the recipe header. You can also change the number of servings by hovering over the servings number and sliding it left or right, this will change the ingredient amounts.
Krystle E Holleman says
Hi Joanna!
Is there any way I could replace the asparagus with green beans? My 4-year old niece hates asparagus but loves beans and everything else in this recipe!
Joanna Cismaru says
Yes, absolutely! Green beans would be great!
Nicole says
Delicious. Adding it to my “keepers” folder. Thanks for the recipe!
Joanna Cismaru says
My pleasure, glad you like it!
Pheobe S. says
I have made this several times now using both chicken and steak. My family loves I and asks for it often. It quick, easy, and extremely delicious.
Jian says
Just Love this dishes, thank you for this:)
Jian/Sweden
Joanna Cismaru says
My pleasure!
Pip says
This was delicious! I added Mushrooms when I added the onions and garlic. I also doubled the asparagus and only used 2 chicken breast to have itt more veggie forward. I took someone else’s advise and used a little white wine and fat free half and half to make it less caloric. And plenty of leftovers for lunches tomorrow.
Joanna Cismaru says
Glad you liked it!
Jami says
Any thoughts on adding white wine and decreasing the chicken broth? When would you add the wine?
Thanks
Joanna Cismaru says
I wouldn’t substitute it completely but maybe 1/4 cup of it and add it after cooking the onion for 3 minutes. Add the wine and cook for a couple minutes until most of it evaporates.
Ann says
I followed the recipe exactly, except replaced the half and half with fat free half and half. It was still delicious! Thank you, my family loved it.
Alice Fjeldal says
Absolutely delicious! Didn’t have the asparagus so replaced it with spinach. My 21 year old son loved it and took the leftovers back to college with him! He even asked for the recipe! Now I’d consider that a glowing recommendation
Joanna Cismaru says
Wow that’s so great! Happy you guys enjoyed this!
Dana Pasetta says
My family loved this!! I replaced the asparagus with broccoli and added sausage with the chicken. They ate every bite and wanted me to make it again tonight. Thank you for sharing!!
Joanna Cismaru says
My pleasure! Glad you guys enjoyed dit!