Baked Chicken with Orzo

Name: Baked Chicken with Orzo
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons butter; 4-6 chicken breasts; 1 teaspoon salt, divided; 1/4 teaspoon pepper; 2 teaspoon olive oil, divided; 1 shallot, chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 16 oz package sliced mushrooms; 1 teaspoon dried sage; 1 16 oz package orzo; 32 oz chicken broth

February 19, 2014 by Tanya Schroeder · 77 Comments · Last updated: November 5, 2021

Chicken

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Baked Chicken and Orzo are tossed with mushrooms then slowly baked for a flavorful dinner your family will love!

This baked chicken recipe is just what you need when you are trying to gather the family around the table. It is satisfying and simple too!

This baked chicken recipe is simple to prepare and the ingredient list is short! The prep doesn’t take long, and the oven will do most of the work! This dish is a wonderful comfort meal that brings cooked pasta with soft mushrooms and chicken to every plate. It’s a full course meal in one baking dish but would of course taste great with a side of Balsamic Green Beans.

What is Baked Chicken with Orzo?

It’s a super simple and easy casserole-style dish that starts in a pan on the stove and ends in a 9×13 pan in the oven. Made with just a few ingredients and steps this dish is really easy to make. The end results are always fabulous. This dish DOES taste as incredible as it looks, so prepare for a yummy dinner the whole family will enjoy!

Ingredients

Butter
Salt
Pepper
Olive Oil
Shallot
Garlic
Sliced Mushrooms
Dried Sage
Orzo
Chicken Broth

For the exact measurements needed, please see the recipe card below.

How to Make Baked Chicken and Orzo

This recipe is not complicated but does allow time for baking time. Season chicken breast with salt and pepper and brown them in a large skillet that has been heated to medium heat.

STEP ONE–Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in the skillet and add the chicken to the pan, working in batches. The chicken will need about 3-5 minutes per side depending on the thickness of your chicken breasts. You do not want to cook the chicken all the way through, as the oven will take care of most of the cooking. You just want to brown the outside of the chicken.

When the outside of the chicken breasts are nicely browned, remove the chicken and place them on a plate to keep warm and rest.

STEP TWO–While the chicken is cooking, I heat oil in a small stockpot and add shallots and garlic. These cook just until soft then I add in my dried orzo. I season the orzo with salt and dried sage and cook just until the pasta begins to toast, then I pour it into a greased 9 x 13-inch baking dish.

STEP THREE–In the same skillet that you cooked the chicken breasts, heat 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil and throw some mushrooms into the same skillet and cook them just until softened. Then the mushrooms and the chicken are placed atop the orzo.

STEP FOUR–Pour chicken broth over all the ingredients and place them in the oven. It will seem like a lot of broth, but the orzo WILL soak it all up. The chicken will take about 45 minutes to bake. You’ll want to check on the dish from time to time; give the orzo a stir and check the chicken for a temperature of 165 degrees. Stir occasionally.

Recipe Tips

Browning the chicken. I like to use butter to help brown my chicken and add in a little richness to the taste but you can just as easily swap it out for olive oil if preferred.

Add some lemon. Want to add in a little more flavor and tangy freshness? Adding in a little lemon juice or topping with a few sliced lemons before baking can really help to elevate this dish to new heights.

Broth or Stock? You can use either chicken broth or chicken stock for this recipe interchangeably. While the stock has a bit more flavor to it you probably won’t notice the difference in taste between the two.

FAQs

Can I Make Baked Chicken With Orzo in a Dutch Oven?

Yes, this recipe can easily be modified to cook in a dutch oven making it perfect for using one less pot for cleanup. Brown the chicken in your dutch oven, remove the chicken once browned, and cook your veggies and orzo in the pot before adding the chicken back in and pouring in the chicken broth. Then bake in the oven as directed.

How to Cook Chicken Orzo Dinner in a Slow Cooker

Start by halving the recipe to make sure that it fits within your slow cooker. Then brown the chicken as directed on the stove in a skillet. Do not cook the orzo. Layer everything in the crockpot as you would a baking dish and cook for about 60 minutes on high, checking after 30 minutes to see if the liquid has been fully absorbed.

How Long is Baked Chicken Breast With Orzo Good For?

The leftovers from this recipe can be covered in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. I do not recommend freezing this dish, the results will not turn out favorably. The pasta doesn’t hold up well to being reheated.

I love using orzo! Orzo is a rice-shaped pasta that works well in dishes that don’t need pasta to hold the sauce. It is good for absorbing the liquid it is cooked in, it becomes plump and flavorful. Some of my favorite orzo recipes are Italian Stuffed Peppers, French Onion Skillet Beef Casserole, Easy Cheeseburger Skillet, and this Easy Chicken Soup.

Yield: 4 servings