One-Pot Chicken and Broccoli Orzo

Name: One-Pot Chicken and Broccoli Orzo
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: European, Italian, Mediterranean
Ingredients: 1 tbsp Olive Oil; • 1 lb Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs (kept whole); • 1/2 tsp Paprika; • 1 pinch Salt and Black Pepper to taste; • 1 Yellow Onion finely diced; • 3 cloves Garlic minced; • 1.5 cups Orzo uncooked; • 4 cups Chicken Broth low sodium; • 1/2 cup Heavy Cream; • 2 cups Broccoli Florets cut into small pieces; • 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese freshly grated; • 1 tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice; • 2 tbsp Fresh Parsley chopped (for garnish)

9 steps

Prep:5minCook:30min

A hearty and creamy one-pan dinner featuring whole seared chicken thighs nestled in a bed of savory broccoli and orzo.

Updated at: Thu, 12 Feb 2026 01:09:21 GMT

Nutrition balance score

Good

Glycemic Index

Low

Glycemic Load

Moderate

Nutrition per serving

Calories545 kcal (27%)

Total Fat26.2 g (37%)

Carbs40.8 g (16%)

Sugars6.5 g (7%)

Protein39.1 g (78%)

Sodium430 mg (22%)

Fiber7.8 g (28%)

% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Ingredients

4 servings

1 Tbspolive oil

1 lbBoneless Skinless Chicken Thighs

kept whole

½ tspPaprika

1 pinchSalt

3 clovesGarlic

1 ½ cupsOrzo

4 cupsChicken Broth low sodium

½ cupheavy cream

2 cupsBroccoli Florets

cut into small pieces

½ cupParmesan Cheese

freshly grated

1 TbspFresh Lemon Juice

2 TbspFresh Parsley

chopped, for garnish

Instructions

Step 1

Season the whole chicken thighs on both sides with salt, pepper, and paprika.

Step 2

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; sear the thighs for 5–6 minutes per side until deeply browned and nearly cooked through, then remove and set aside.

Step 3

In the same skillet, sauté the diced onion until translucent (3–4 minutes), then stir in the minced garlic for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the dry orzo to the skillet and toast for 1–2 minutes, stirring frequently to coat in the pan drippings.

Step 5

Pour in the chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pan to release the flavor, and bring to a simmer.

Step 6

Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 8 minutes.

Step 7

Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, then nestle the whole chicken thighs back into the orzo and scatter broccoli florets around them.

Step 8

Cover and cook for an additional 5–7 minutes until the orzo has absorbed the liquid, the broccoli is tender, and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Step 9

Finish with a squeeze of lemon juice and fresh parsley before serving.