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Tomato Parmesan Orzo Chicken dinner is a simple and delicious orzo pasta recipe made with easy-to-find ingredients and the best seasoning, for a delicious creamy tomato orzo dish in under 10 minutes.

tomato chicken and spinach with orzo in a white bowl topped with Parmesan cheese.

This creamy orzo recipe is one of the best ways to use hot orzo pasta for tasty, quick weeknight meals the whole family can enjoy. 

If you have been living a life without these scrumptious tiny pastas, this is me telling you to get the small shape pasta and make this delicious pasta dish wit the rich tomato sauce. 

I will serve this one pan meal with an easy side dish, and we are ready to go with an easy dinner.

Why you’ll love this family favorite recipe!

easy chicken and spinach with orzo

What I love about this recipe is that it is an ultimate comfort food recipe, but can still be made in under 20 minutes to get tender orzo pasta in the best sauce with delicious flavors. Some might even call it a tomato risotto, but in an easy way.

Recipe Ingredients:

chicken and spinach with orzo ingredients
  • Protein: I like to use fresh cubed chicken breast in this recipe for even more protein; however, you can pick your favorite protein
  • Oil: Simple olive oil will work great for sautéing the vegetables
  • Butter: Use unsalted butter when making this orzo dish
  • Onion: I normally use diced yellow onion because it is what I have on hand, white onion would work as well
  • Seasoning: To season this one pot meal, use minced garlic, kosher salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and paprika
  • Pasta: Be sure to use uncooked orzo for the skillet recipe
  • Sauce: To make the best creamy Parmesan sauce, use tomato sauce, Chicken broth, and heavy cream
  • Greens: Uses either baby spinach or regular spinach that has been roughly chopped
  • Cheese: For the best results, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

How to Make this Creamy Chicken and Spinach Tomato Orzo:

Saute chicken and seasoning in oil:

chicken and onions for simple dinner
  1. To a large pot on the stove over medium-high heat, add in the oil and butter, diced onion, minced garlic, chicken, and seasonings. 
  2. Cook the chicken on a higher heat for 2 to 3 minutes to sear the chicken. (It doesn’t need to be cooked through right now)

Add orzo pasta:

chicken and tomato orzo
  1. Stir in the orzo, tomato sauce, broth, and heavy cream with a spatula.
  2. Let simmer for 8 to 10 minutes or until the orzo is tender and the chicken is cooked through.

Add in spinach:

add spinach and parmesan to the orzo
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  1. Stir in the spinach and Parmesan until the spinach has shrunk and the cheese has melted. Enjoy.
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How to store leftovers from this orzo chicken dinner:

Fridge: Add any leftovers to an airtight container and then place the container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.

Recipe FAQs

How do I thicken the sauce for this Orzo?

If you want to make sure that the sauce thickens to your liking, you can always reserve some of the starchy pasta water to add to help thicken the sauce.

What can I substitute for the heavy cream in this chicken orzo?

Switch the cream for half and half or even coconut milk to still get a perfectly creamy texture. The coconut milk will change the flavor of this dish, so be sure to keep that in mind. Greek yogurt or sour cream could also be great options.

What are the best topping for this Tomato Parmesan Orzo?

Some great toppings that will work for this orzo include; red pepper flakes, fresh basil, fresh parsley, and more Parmesan cheese.

More great ways to make orzo:

If you liked this Tomato Parmesan Orzo, make sure to tag me on Instagram @julia.pacheco.cooking and let us know how much you liked the recipes!

easy chicken and spinach with orzo
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Tomato Parmesan Orzo with Chicken and Spinach – 10 Minute Dinner

Tomato Parmesan Orzo Chicken dinner is a simple and delicious orzo pasta recipe made with easy-to-find ingredients and the best seasoning, for a delicious creamy tomato orzo dish in under 20 minutes.
Prep: 1 minute
Cook: 9 minutes
Total: 10 minutes
Servings: 5

Equipment

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Ingredients 

  • 1 lb chicken breast, cubed
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1 yellow onion, diced
  • 1 tbsp minced garlic
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 cup uncooked orzo
  • 15 oz can tomato sauce
  • 1 ⅓ cups Chicken broth
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
  • cup Parmesan cheese

Instructions 

Saute chicken and seasoning in oil:

  • To a large pot on the stove over medium-high heat, add in the oil and butter, diced onion, minced garlic, chicken, and seasonings.
  • Cook the chicken on a higher heat for 2 to 3 minutes to sear the chicken. (It doesn’t need to be cooked through right now)

Add orzo pasta:

  • Stir in the orzo, tomato sauce, broth, and heavy cream with a spatula. Let simmer for 8 to 10 minutes or until the orzo is tender and the chicken is cooked through.

Add in spinach:

  • Stir in the spinach and Parmesan until the spinach has shrunk and the cheese has melted. Enjoy.

Nutrition

Calories: 411kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 97mg | Sodium: 1346mg | Potassium: 804mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1645IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 152mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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About Julia Pacheco

Hello, I’m Julia Pacheco, and I’m so glad you’re here! I’m a published cookbook author with a passion for creating delicious, budget-friendly meals. My blog focuses on recipes that are accessible and enjoyable, because I truly believe in the power of food to heal, inspire, and bring people together. From early lessons in the kitchen with my mom to navigating life on WIC and food stamps, I’ve learned the value of making every meal count. Cooking has been my creative outlet, a way to connect with others, and it even helped me land my dream job.

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1 Comment

  1. Loretta Nash says:

    This is do good that I’ve made it 3 times already and I live alone. I freeze portions for later! So delicious! I’ve made so many recipes from this site that I finally ordered the cookbook today! Thank you, Julie!