Creamy Garlic Pepper Jack Orzo (Printable)
Tender chicken and orzo simmer in rich garlic butter with melted Pepper Jack and fresh spinach for a luscious one-pan meal.
# What You Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
02 - 1 teaspoon paprika
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Orzo & Aromatics
05 - 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta (uncooked)
06 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
07 - 5 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
→ Liquids & Creaminess
09 - 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
10 - 1 cup whole milk
11 - 1/3 cup heavy cream
→ Cheese & Finish
12 - 1 cup shredded Pepper Jack cheese
13 - 2 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped
14 - 2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley
15 - Lemon wedges, for serving
# Steps:
01 - Season the chicken pieces evenly with paprika, salt, and black pepper, coating all sides thoroughly.
02 - Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add seasoned chicken and sauté until golden brown and cooked through, about 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
03 - Reduce heat to medium. Melt remaining butter in the same skillet. Add garlic and onion, sautéing until fragrant and translucent, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
04 - Stir orzo into the skillet, toasting lightly for 1 minute to develop nutty flavor.
05 - Pour in chicken broth and whole milk, stirring continuously to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
06 - Bring mixture to a gentle simmer. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 8 to 10 minutes until orzo is mostly tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
07 - Stir in heavy cream and cooked chicken. Add spinach and Pepper Jack cheese, stirring constantly until spinach wilts and cheese melts completely, about 2 to 3 minutes.
08 - Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- The orzo absorbs all those incredible garlic butter flavors while cooking, making every bite taste like it's been simmering for hours instead of minutes
- Everything happens in one pan, which means maximum flavor and minimum cleanup exactly the kind of dinner I need on busy weeknights
02 -
- The orzo will continue absorbing liquid even after you remove it from heat so if the sauce looks a little loose when you finish cooking that is actually perfect
- Pepper Jack heat levels vary wildly between brands so taste yours before adding and adjust with red pepper flakes if you want more kick
03 -
- Don't skip toasting the orzo in the butter before adding liquid because it adds a subtle nutty depth that makes the dish taste more complex
- Reserve some pasta water if you have extra liquid because starchy pasta water helps create an incredibly silky sauce