Description
This Creamy Chicken Pot Pie Orzo is a comforting, hearty dish combining tender cooked chicken, sautéed vegetables, and creamy sauce with perfectly cooked orzo pasta. It's a quicker, stovetop alternative to traditional pot pie, delivering all the classic flavors in a cozy, easy-to-make meal perfect for weeknights.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts (cooked & diced)
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- Salt and Black Pepper (to taste)
- Olive Oil (for cooking, splash)
Vegetables
- 2 Celery Stalks (finely diced)
- 2 Carrots (finely diced)
- ½ Yellow Onion (finely diced)
Sauce and Pasta
- 8 ounces Orzo Pasta
- 5 tablespoons Butter
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 2 cups Chicken Broth
- ½ cup Heavy Whipping Cream
- 1 teaspoon Chicken Bouillon Powder
- 1/3 cup All Purpose Flour
Instructions
- Cook the Orzo and Chicken: Prepare the orzo pasta according to package instructions until al dente, then drain. Season the chicken breasts with onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Heat a splash of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and cook chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Remove from skillet and dice into bite-sized pieces.
- Sauté Vegetables and Make Roux: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt the butter along with olive oil. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery, sautéing for 4-5 minutes until they begin to soften. Reduce heat to low, sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the vegetables, and whisk continuously to form a smooth paste (roux).
- Prepare Creamy Sauce: Continue stirring the roux for 2-3 minutes to cook off the raw flour taste. Gradually whisk in chicken broth, chicken bouillon powder, and heavy whipping cream. Stir constantly until the sauce is smooth and begins to thicken without any lumps.
- Combine Chicken and Orzo: Add the diced cooked chicken to the sauce, allowing it to simmer and thicken further to your desired consistency. Finally, fold in the drained orzo, mixing well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Serve: Once everything is heated through and the sauce has thickened to your liking, serve the creamy chicken pot pie orzo warm. Enjoy this comforting and satisfying one-pan meal!
Notes
- Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for food safety.
- To save time, use rotisserie chicken instead of cooking the breasts from scratch.
- You can substitute heavy whipping cream with half-and-half for a lighter dish.
- If you prefer gluten-free, use a gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour.
- Adjust seasoning to your taste, adding more salt, pepper, or herbs like thyme for extra flavor.
- Leftovers store well sealed in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American