Description
This Creamy Ricotta Chicken and Orzo Skillet is the ultimate one-pan comfort meal! Tender chicken, creamy ricotta-Parmesan sauce, and perfectly cooked orzo come together in just 30 minutes for a rich, satisfying, and easy dinner. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish is packed with flavor and minimal cleanup—just one skillet!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¾ cup ricotta cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken – Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken, season with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning, and cook until golden brown and fully cooked (about 5–7 minutes). Remove and set aside.
- Sauté the Aromatics – In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and garlic. Sauté for 2–3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Cook the Orzo – Stir in the orzo pasta and toast for 1 minute. Pour in the chicken broth, bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally until the orzo is tender.
- Make it Creamy – Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream, ricotta cheese, and Parmesan cheese. Mix until smooth and creamy.
- Combine Everything – Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, add the chopped spinach, and cook for 2 more minutes until the spinach wilts and everything is heated through.
- Serve & Enjoy – Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and serve warm.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add sun-dried tomatoes or mushrooms.
- Want a lighter version? Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream and low-fat ricotta.
- To reheat, add a splash of broth or cream to loosen the sauce.
- Make it spicier by increasing the red pepper flakes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: One-Pan, Skillet
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg