Description
Creamy Chicken Pot Pie Orzo is a comforting one-pot meal featuring tender shredded chicken, mixed vegetables, and orzo pasta cooked in a rich parmesan cream sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, this dish combines the flavors of a classic chicken pot pie in a creamy, easy-to-make stovetop recipe perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 1 large yellow onion, diced (about 1 ½ cups)
- 1 rib celery, finely diced (about ½ cup)
- 1 cup frozen peas and diced carrots blend, or ½ cup each, thawed
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
Dairy & Cheese
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- Parmesan, grated, for garnish
Pantry
- 1 ½ cups orzo pasta, uncooked
- 3 cups chicken broth
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
Protein
- 2 cups rotisserie chicken, shredded
Garnish
- Chopped parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and celery and cook for 4–5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Add Peas, Carrots, and Garlic: Stir in the thawed peas and carrots, cooking for another 2–3 minutes. Then add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until aromatic.
- Toast Orzo: Add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and the uncooked orzo pasta to the pot. Stir well and toast the orzo for about 3 minutes until it turns lightly golden and nutty.
- Simmer Orzo in Broth: Pour in the chicken broth, then season with kosher salt, black pepper, dried thyme, and dried rosemary. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover the pot, reduce heat to low, and cook for 10–12 minutes. Stir occasionally until the orzo is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
- Add Chicken and Cream Sauce: Stir in the shredded rotisserie chicken, heavy cream, and freshly grated parmesan cheese. Cook for 3–4 minutes more, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is creamy and heated through.
- Rest and Adjust Consistency: Remove the pot from heat. Let the dish rest for a few minutes to allow it to thicken. If it becomes too thick, you can add a splash of chicken broth to loosen it.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve warm, topped with chopped parsley and extra grated parmesan cheese for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken to save time, or substitute with cooked shredded chicken breast.
- For a lower-fat option, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream or reduce the butter slightly.
- You can swap orzo with other small pasta shapes like acini di pepe or couscous, adjusting cook time accordingly.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be gently reheated with a splash of broth or cream.
- Adding fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary can enhance the flavor if dried are not available.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
