Skillet White Pesto Chicken and Orzo Recipe
A quick and creamy one-pan Skillet White Pesto Chicken and Orzo dish combining tender chicken breasts, aromatic white pesto, and tender orzo pasta. Ready in under 30 minutes, it offers a comforting, light, and flavorful meal ideal for busy weeknights or elegant dinners.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free (if gluten-free orzo or rice is used)
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
Pasta & Broth
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 cups chicken broth
Sauce & Aromatics
- 1/3 cup white pesto (basil, garlic, Parmesan, pine nuts blend)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 shallot, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Garnish (Optional)
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped
- Toasted pine nuts
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Season the chicken breasts lightly with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken on both sides until golden brown and nearly cooked through, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics: In the same skillet, add a bit more olive oil if needed. Sauté minced garlic and shallots until fragrant and translucent, about 2-3 minutes, creating a flavorful base for the sauce.
- Cook the orzo: Add orzo to the skillet and toast lightly for 1 minute. Pour in chicken broth, stir well, bring to a simmer, then cover and cook until orzo is tender and liquid mostly absorbed, about 8-10 minutes.
- Incorporate pesto and cream: Lower heat and stir in white pesto and heavy cream. Mix until creamy and well blended. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
- Finish the dish: Return chicken breasts to skillet, nestling into creamy orzo. Cover and cook an additional 3-5 minutes until chicken is fully cooked and flavors meld. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve hot.
Notes
- Use room temperature chicken for even cooking and juiciness.
- Watch orzo carefully to prevent overcooking and mushiness.
- Toast pine nuts separately for extra crunch and garnish.
- Homemade or high-quality store-bought white pesto enhances flavor.
- Let the dish rest off heat for a few minutes before serving to meld flavors.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: white pesto chicken, orzo pasta, one-pan dinner, quick chicken recipe, creamy chicken skillet