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A serving of Cheesy Chicken & Broccoli Orzo on a white plate.
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4.97 from 30 votes

Cheesy Chicken & Broccoli Orzo: an easy one pan recipe!

Cheesy Chicken & Broccoli Orzo - an easy one-pot dish that's ready in 30 minutes! Enjoy this healthy & comforting dish with only 7 simple ingredients. Perfect for busy weeknights!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time16 minutes
Total Time26 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cheesy chicken & broccoli orzo
Servings: 2 servings
Calories: 457kcal
Author: Mindy Boyd

Ingredients

  • 1 cup chicken broth low sodium
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 8 ounces boneless skinless chicken breast one small breast
  • 1/2 + 1/8 cup orzo
  • 2 cups broccoli florets
  • 1/8 tsp pepper
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese

Instructions

  • Cut chicken into 1" chunks and cut florets off of the broccoli crowns.
    8 ounces boneless skinless chicken breast, 2 cups broccoli florets
  • Bring broth and water to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat.
    1 cup chicken broth, 1/2 cup water
  • Stir in chicken and orzo and return to a boil, reduce heat to medium to medium-high heat and simmer for 6 minutes, add broccoli and simmer for about 6 minutes longer, or until pasta and broccoli are tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
    1/2 + 1/8 cup orzo
  • Remove from heat and stir in salt, pepper and cheese. Serve immediately.
    1/8 tsp pepper, 1/8 tsp salt, 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese

Notes

Stir several during the cooking process times to ensure it doesn't stick.
The liquid needs to be absorbed as the chicken, orzo and broccoli cook, to make this happen in 12 minutes it needs to be simmering. According to  Merriam-Webster "The meaning of SIMMER is to stew gently below or just at the boiling point".
This recipe makes 2 good sized servings, double or triple the recipe to feed additional people, especially if you have teenagers because they are going to love it! Two tablespoons = 1/8 cup if you don't have a 1/8 cup measure.
Nutrition information is approximate. 
See tips, notes, and suggestions in the post above. 

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Nutrition

Calories: 457kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 103mg | Sodium: 788mg | Potassium: 856mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 887IU | Vitamin C: 83mg | Calcium: 265mg | Iron: 2mg