One-Pan Chicken and Spinach Orzo
One-Pan Chicken and Spinach Orzo is an easy weeknight dinner with chicken and spinach in a creamy tomato orzo. You can have this One-Pan Italian pasta dinner can be on the table in under 20 minutes. Sprinkle some Parmesan on top and enjoy!
One-pan Chicken And Spinach Orzo
Last week my kids did a one week break from all screens. Did I mention that last week was also the first week of summer? The first day was probably the longest day of their life. Lots of moping and stares like, “Why did you do this to us?”
Well. We actually didn’t. We let let choose which week to do it and that’s the week they chose. But never have I ever seen such creativity. Cookie stands, dance parties, fishing, and more Lego ships than I’ve seen built in the last year (and I’m still stepping on them).
Oh I love summer. No schedules, no sports, no agendas. It’s what makes my soul happy.
But then I have to still make dinner. I know, I know. I have a food blog and am supposed to love cooking. Let’s just say I’m currently in a phase where I just enjoy the eating part.
Simple, one-pan dinners are all I have the energy for. You know I love my Mexican one-pan dinners like this One-Pan Chicken Enchilada Skillet and this One-Pan Mexican Chicken and Rice. Now, since my family loves Italian food it was time for an Italian version. If it’s a chicken recipe even better.
There was a debate in our house whether this one-pan chicken dinner should have spinach or broccoli in it. Usually my family chooses broccoli for everything and I think it would work well here too but spinach was the winner.
Common questions for this one-pan chicken and spinach orzo
- Can I use broccoli instead of spinach? Yes, just make sure you chop it into bite size pieces and add it when you begin to cook the orzo so it has enough time to steam.
- Can I use mozzarella instead of Parmesan? Of course, I love the saltiness of the Parmesan but mozzarella is great too.
- Can I use frozen spinach? I’m not a huge fan of frozen spinach in this recipe, but I suppose you could use it.
- Can I cook my own chicken and not use rotisserie? Yes. I suggest using about 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch cubes. Brown it in 1 tablespoon of olive oil for 5-6 minutes then add the onion and continue the recipe as written.
- How many calories per serving? There are 321 calories per serving and the recipe makes 4 servings.
OTHER ONE-PAN DINNERS
- Chicken and Spinach Stuffed Shells
- One-Pan Cheesy Chicken, Broccoli, and Rice
- Creamy Chicken Noodle Skillet
- One-Pan Chicken Fajita Rice
- One-Pan Monterey Chicken Pasta
- One-Pan Bacon Broccoli Pasta
- One-Pan Chicken Tortilla Bake
One-Pan Chicken and Spinach Orzo
This One-Pan Chicken and Spinach Orzo is an easy weeknight dinner with chicken and spinach in a creamy tomato orzo.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 white onion, diced finely
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup chicken broth (I like Better Than Bouillon Base)
- 3/4 cup uncooked orzo pasta
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes undrained (if you can get the version that has basil and oregano great!)
- 1 teaspoon italian seasonings
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (more to taste later)
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional if you like heat)
- 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken (see notes)
- 3 cups spinach leaves (measured then chopped)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
In a large skillet, bring the olive oil over medium-high heat. Sautee the onion until soft, adding the garlic for the last minute of cooking.
Add the chicken broth, orzo, diced tomatoes, Italian seasonings, salt, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cover. Cook for 12-15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Add the chicken and the spinach leaves for the last 3 minutes of cooking. Sprinkle with Parmesan and serve.
Recipe Notes
- Can I use broccoli instead of spinach? Yes, just make sure you chop it into bite size pieces and add it when you begin to cook the orzo so it has enough time to steam.
- Can I use mozzarella instead of Parmesan? Of course, I love the saltiness of the Parmesan but mozzarella is great too.
- Can I use frozen spinach? I'm not a huge fan of frozen spinach in this recipe, but I suppose you could use it.
- Can I cook my own chicken and not use rotisserie? Yes. I suggest using about 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch cubes. Brown it in 1 tablespoon of olive oil for 5-6 minutes then add the onion and continue the recipe as written.
One of the only recipes that is truly as quick as it says (if the chicken is precooked), and as good. This is the first time I’ve rates a recipe because I’m so happy with it.
Side note, I’d someone in your family isn’t that into tomato sauce you can replace it with cream or add 1/2 cup+ of cream to it and it’s a whole other very satisfying dinner. From a mother of 3 under 4yrs old, thank you and this is Great.
This was easy and quite beautiful with the green of spinach…red of diced tomatoes. It was very good and I will make this again. However, I would lighten up the amount of crushed red peppers, which you wrote it was optional anyway.
I love your recipes!
So glad you liked it!
Absolutely delicious. 🙂 And adding to the delight, it was easy to make…plus, I actually had all of the ingredients on hand. I used broccoli, I’ll add spinach as well, the next time I make it. So, we thank you for sharing this recipe,
I bet broccoli was great!
Great dish. It was the perfect quarantine “quisine” comfort food.
Glad you liked it!
Tried this for the first time tonight, and we loved it! It couldn’t be any easier, and was so flavorful! Thanks so much for a fantastic new down that is sure to be in our regular rotation from here on out!
That’s great to hear!
So easy and flavorful. I used chicken breast and added more garlic. Very flavorful. I’ll definitely be adding this to our dinner rotation.
So happy to hear this!
Yum! I used my own chicken breasts. After pounding to 3/4 inch thickness, I sauteed them whole till golden, then followed the recipe. I was out of spinach, so I used kale. And whole wheat orzo works great. Tasty and so easy. Thank you!
Glad you liked it!
Super easy recipe that tastes delish!
Thank you!
I loved this recipe. I made a few changes to use what we had on hand. I added a chopped jalapeño pepper as well as some chopped red pepper that we had. I also used fresh tomatoes instead of canned to avoid extra sodium and baby kale instead of spinach.
We love this easy recipe, I have also made it substituting the chicken for equal quantities of mixed chorizo and pancetta which adds a great twist.
Pancetta would be great with this!
I have made this with chicken and with Italian sausage. Yummy both ways!
Italian sausage would be delicious!
Easy and very tasty! I added 1/2 tsp extra basil and used 1 cup broccoli and 2 cups spinach. It seemed to need a little more liquid; I think I would decrease the orzo to 2/3 cup and maybe add half a can more tomatoes or increase the chicken broth. But it was still good as is!
Thanks for the feedback!
I made this over the weekend and it was AMAZING!! I told my husband that I could easily make it once a week and eat it for lunches for 3-4 days. My hubs doesn’t like pasta, but orzo is reminiscent of rice (which he loves) and even he was on board with this! 100% will make this again, 2-3x a month!
Awesome hearing that!
This is an AWESOME recipe. My family loves it. Highly recommended, and crazy easy.
Yay! I love hearing that.
Made this last night. It was super simple to make, but pretty tasty. The kids enjoyed it, so we’ll definitely make it again. Thanks for the great recipe!
LOVED IT. Instead of parmesan or mozzarella, I had feta on hand and mixed that in. Was quick and easy and perfect with some french bread!
I used fresh bone in chicken thighs and breast-braised in white wine til done. Used fresh cherry tomatoes and onion and garlic added orzo to toast a little in olive oil then added the broth from the braised chicken. When orzo was aldente added the spinach and chicken. Grated parmigiana stirred and then added additional on top to serve ! Very easy and fresh tasting. Thanks for a nice quick meal!
You’re welcome!
I love your recipes! They are always so practical and perfect for a mother of 4. Usually my husband can even cook them when I’m at work 😊. This recipe was fast and simple to put together. I used half spinich and half broccoli. All 4 of my teenagers loved it. I added the cheese after I took out a portion for my dairy free daughter, so it was very adaptable! My only complaint is that I should have doubled it because there are no leftovers😁. Also, this is a low fat and healthy recipe! Perfect! Thank you!
Thank you Anne!! That means so much to me!
This was so quick and easy, and absolutely delicious! My family loved it, too! We’ll be putting this recipe in regular rotation. Hmm. I wonder how this would be with a Greek spin? Add lemon juice and swap feta in for the parmesan?
Sounds like an absolutely delicious twist.
Made this yummy
Needed to cut it down as I’m only the one eating it!!
Look forward to having it for lunch
Glad you enjoyed it.
Just made this tonight. This was fantastic, and SO easy and quick to make! This is officially in my regular menu rotation now!
Oh that makes my heart happy!
Spotted this recipe on another site just now (The Model of Health), and I liked it, but I haven’t yet made it.
Will this recipe still work with a different kind of pasta, or does it have to be orzo pasta? I haven’t spotted orzo pasta on the grocery shelves here in Malaysia, yet. Unless I’ve been under a rock for a long time. ^_^;
Any small pasta will work here!
We loved this dish! Thank you!
http://themodelofhealth.com/easy-summer-dinners/
Thank you!
I just found your blog from the Mr. Food website and love it! This recipe sounds really good and am wondering how asparagus might taste with this in lieu of spinach, following your instructions regarding broccoli, by adding the asparagus early. Think it would work? Thanks
Yes, that would be brilliant!
Made this tonight, used slightly over 3 cups spinach, fire roasted tomatoes, 1 1/2 teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Orwise kept rwcipe same. Both hubby and I thought next time maybe double spinach, and tomatoes ( maybe drain one can?) And keep other ingredients as written. Felt too much pasta, with other ingredients. Also maybe even more seasoning. Though to be fair I added very little red pepper flakes as I don”t do spicy. Just my 2 cents though.
Sorry you didn’t love it. The red pepper definitely gives it kick.
I love this dish , this looks so delicious! I will try to cook this dish tonight
Thank you!
Love a quick, one-pan meal! Especially when my son asked me, “Why do we have to have the same dinner we had yesterday again and again?!?” Yikes. So excited to try this!
Ha my children say the same thing!
I know this will go to our monthly dinner rotation, even I haven’t prepared it yet. 🙂
Thank you for the recipe.
Hope it does!
This looks great. Making it tonight for dinner. 😉
Hope you do!