Skillet White Pesto Marry Me Chicken and Orzo (One-Pot)

Name: Skillet White Pesto Marry Me Chicken and Orzo (One-Pot)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: European, Italian, Mediterranean
Ingredients: 1½ lb boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cutlets or chunks; ¾ tsp kosher salt; ½ tsp black pepper; 1 Tbsp flour or cornstarch, for light coating; 1–1½ Tbsp olive oil; 1 Tbsp butter; 1 small shallot, minced; 2 cloves garlic (1 for pesto, 1 for skillet); 1½ cups dry orzo; 3½ cups low-sodium chicken broth (plus more as needed); ½ cup cream or evaporated milk; 4 cups baby spinach (optional); ¾ cup ricotta cheese; ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1 tsp lemon zest; 1 Tbsp olive oil; pinch red pepper flakes; fresh lemon juice to taste; chopped basil or parsley; extra Parmesan, for serving

Instructions

Prep:10minCook:25min

Creamy white-pesto orzo with juicy seared chicken—Tuscan-style comfort in about 35 minutes. A one-pot skillet dinner finished with lemon and herbs for a silky, restaurant-quality result.

Updated at: Fri, 09 Jan 2026 03:21:49 GMT