Cheesy chicken broccoli orzo is ready in less than 30 minutes and makes the perfect one-pan meal. Chopped chicken, broccoli, and orzo are coated in a creamy and flavorful cheddar cheese sauce.
Cube chicken breasts into bite size pieces and season with salt and pepper.
In a sauté pan over medium heat, and add one tablespoon of olive oil. When hot, add chicken in a single layer and cook until heated to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, about 3-4 minutes, flipping once halfway through. Remove from pan, cover, and set aside.
Add a tablespoon of olive oil to the pan, add onions, and cook until they begin to brown and turn translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
Add chicken broth, paprika, red pepper flakes, and orzo to the pan, scraping the bottom of the pan to deglaze. Bring to a simmer, cover, and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 5 minutes (or, consult your pasta's package directions and cook to al dente, minus 5 minutes).
Remove lid and add chopped broccoli. Stir to combine. Cover and cook for the remaining 5 minutes, allowing broccoli to steam and pasta to finish cooking. Most of the liquid should be absorbed at this point.
Remove lid and add heavy cream, shredded cheese, and cooked chicken. Stir to combine. Cook an additional 1 to 2 minutes on low, or until cheese has melted. Remove from heat and allow to set for 5 minutes to allow sauce to thicken before serving.
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Notes
One head of broccoli = about 3 cups of small broccoli florets
Leftovers will keep for 3 days or more in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator, and reheat well in the microwave.
Chicken breasts can be substituted with chicken thighs or shredded rotisserie chicken. If using cooked chicken, skip steps one and two, and continue with the recipe as written.
Freshly shredded cheese from a block is highly recommended. Pre-shredded cheeses contain anti-clumping powders that prevent even melting and make your sauce grainy.
If using low sodium broth, you may want to add additional seasoning to make up for the loss of flavor.