Chicken and Orzo with Vegetables – Easy One-Pot Dinner
This easy Chicken and Orzo with Vegetables is an easy meal that comes together in one pot in just 30 minutes. It’s creamy, cozy, and packed with sneaky veggies your whole family will love. Perfect for busy weeknights!
Chicken and Orzo with Vegetables
Creamy, cozy, and packed with flavor — this Chicken and Orzo with Vegetables recipe is the kind of weeknight dinner you’ll come back to again and again.
I love that it all comes together in one skillet (we love easy cleanup!), but what really makes this recipe a keeper is how easily it allows you to sneak in veggies. The orzo’s small pasta shape blends everything together beautifully, so even the pickiest eaters won’t fuss about the greens on their plate.
Why You’ll Love This Chicken and Orzo Recipe
Ingredients for Chicken and Orzo with Vegetables
Here’s everything you’ll need to make this one-pot wonder:
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or 2 cups shredded chicken or rotisserie chicken)
3 tbsp butter
1 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, diced
½ tsp thyme
Salt and black pepper, to taste
½ cup shredded carrots
½ cup celery, finely diced
1 cup frozen peas
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup orzo pasta
3 cups chicken broth or chicken stock
1 tsp chicken bouillon
½ cup heavy whipping cream
½ cup parmesan cheese
How to Make Chicken Orzo with Veggies
- Cook the Chicken: Add 1 teaspoon of olive oil to a large skillet. Season both sides of the chicken with thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook for about 4 minutes on each side over medium heat, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Transfer to a cutting board and rest for 5 minutes before cutting.
- Sauté the Veggies: In the same skillet, add butter and olive oil. Once melted, add onion, thyme, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes, then add shredded carrots and celery. Cook a few more minutes until the carrots are tender.
- Add Garlic and Toast the Orzo: Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1-2 minutes, until fragrant. Stir in the uncooked orzo and stir to coat with the butter and oil. Let it toast for 2 minutes to give it a slightly nutty flavor.
- Simmer Everything Together: Pour in the chicken broth and bouillon, scraping up the brown bits from the bottom of the pan for extra flavor. Bring it to a simmer, cover, and cook for about 6 minutes. While it cooks, dice your chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- Finish with Cream, Veggies, and Chicken: Remove the lid and add your diced chicken, frozen peas, and heavy cream. Stir well, replace the lid, and cook for an additional 4 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and the vegetables are perfectly cooked. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then garnish with parmesan and parsley.
Easy Ways to Add More Veggies
This recipe is already veggie-packed, but if you’re like me and constantly looking for ways to sneak extra veggies into meals, here are some of my favorite ways to mix it up:
Add fresh spinach at the end for a burst of color.
Toss in cherry tomatoes right before serving for a sweet, juicy pop.
Substitute or add zucchini, asparagus, or broccoli when in season.
🥦 When to Add Vegetables to Chicken and Orzo
| Vegetable or Ingredient | When to Add | Notes / Why |
|---|---|---|
| Onion | Sautè at the beginning | Builds the flavor base; softens nicely in butter or oil. |
| Carrots | Sautè at the beginning | Need extra cook time to soften; add early with onions and celery. |
| Celery | Sautè at the beginning | Adds aromatic flavor and texture. |
| Mushrooms | Sautè at the beginning | Release moisture and deepen flavor when cooked early. |
| Bell peppers | Sautè at the beginning | Adds flavor and a pop of color. |
| Zucchini | Midway (about 6-8 minuters before done) | Softens quickly; add once orzo starts simmering. |
| Broccoli florets | Last 4-5 minutes of cook time | Steams perfectly in residual heat; keeps bright green color. |
| Asparagus (cut into 1-inch pieces) | Last 4-5 minutes of cook time | Tender-crisp texture works best with a short cook time. |
| Frozen peas | Last 4-5 minutes of cook time | Just need to heat through; add near the end. |
| Corn (fresh or frozen) | Last 4-5 minutes of cook time | Adds sweetness and color; pairs well with cream. |
| Mixed vegetables | Last 4-5 minutes of cook time | Convenient shortcut; no need to thaw first. |
| Cherry tomatoes | Last 4-5 minutes of cook time | Keep them whole or halved; they’ll burst slightly from residual heat. |
| Chickpeas | Last 4-5 minutes of cook time | Already cooked; just need to warm through. |
| Fresh spinach | After cooking / stir in off heat | Wilts in minutes and blends right in with the creamy sauce. |
| Olives | After cooking | Add briny flavor; best stirred in right before serving. |
| Parsley | After cooking / garnish | Adds color and freshness. |
| Basil | After cooking / garnish | Brightens the dish; best added right before serving. |
| Lemon zest | After cooking / garnish | Brings out all the flavors and adds a fresh finish. |
Here’s a free downloadable chart that shows exactly when to add each vegetable to your Chicken and Orzo so everything cooks perfectly. Customize your recipe to include veggies your family will love (or at least eat some of them).
What to Serve with Chicken Orzo
Serve your Chicken and Orzo with Vegetables with:
A simple side salad with lemon vinaigrette
Garlic bread or homemade rolls for dipping
A glass of crisp white wine for the grown-ups
More Easy One-Pan Dinners:
- Easy Baked Chicken and Rice
- Chicken Pot Pie Noodles
- Mexican Skillet with Tortellini
- Lemon Chicken Orzo Pasta
- Creamy Mushroom Chicken and Rice
Storage & Reheating Tips
This dish reheats beautifully, which makes it perfect for meal prep or the next day’s lunch.
Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Add a splash of broth or cream before reheating to loosen up the sauce.
Freeze: It’s best enjoyed fresh, but you can freeze it for up to 2 months.
FAQs about Chicken and Orzo with Vegetables
Easy One-Skillet Meal
The next time you’re looking for an easy weeknight dinner, this Chicken and Orzo with Vegetables recipe is one you can whip up in about 30 minutes (or less if you use rotisserie chicken). It’s creamy, comforting, and the perfect recipe to sneak extra veggies into your family. Serve it straight from the skillet, pour a glass of wine, and enjoy a cozy dinner that tastes like you worked harder than you did.
Pin this recipe for later!
Chicken and Orzo with Vegetables – Easy One-Pot Dinner
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups cooked chicken rotisserie, breasts, or thighs
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion diced
- ½ tsp thyme
- salt and black pepper to taste
- ½ cup carrots shredded
- ½ cup celery finely diced
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup orzo pasta uncooked
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 tsp chicken bouillon
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup parmesan cheese shredded
Instructions
- Add 1 teaspoon of olive oil to a large skillet. Season both sides of each chicken breast with thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook 4 minutes on each side over medium heat or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165. Transfer to a cutting board and allow to rest 5 minutes before cutting.
- Add olive oil and butter to the same heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat. Once hot, add onion, dried thyme, and a pinch of salt and black pepper. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until onions begin to soften.
- Add shredded carrots and celery, and cook for an additional few minutes, or until the veggies are warmed through and the carrots are tender. Add garlic and cook 1-2 minutes or until fragrant.
- Add uncooked orzo and sauté for 2 minutes to toast and lightly coat in the oil. Add the chicken broth, stir to scrape up any browned bits at the bottom of the pan, and bring to a simmer. Put the lid on and let it cook for about 6 minutes.
- While the orzo is cooking, dice the cooked chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces.
- Remove the lid and add the cooked chicken, frozen peas, and heavy cream. Stir once more. Replace the lid and continue cooking for an additional 4 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente and the vegetables are tender.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with shredded parmesan cheese and chopped Italian parsley, if desired. Enjoy!
