ULTIMATE CHICKEN BROCCOLI ORZO BAKE

Imagine scooping up a spoonful of perfectly cooked orzo, studded with tender chicken and vibrant broccoli, all coated in a creamy, cheesy sauce that’s been baked to bubbly perfection. This Chicken Broccoli Orzo Bake is comfort food at its finest, and I promise you, it’s easier to make than you think!

Ingredients

For the Chicken and Broccoli:

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 large head of broccoli, cut into florets
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For the Orzo and Sauce:

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta, uncooked
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• Salt and pepper to taste

Optional Toppings:

• Breadcrumbs
• Extra Parmesan cheese
• Red pepper flakes

Let’s Talk Chicken and Broccoli (Prep is Key!)

Okay, friend, before we dive into the full recipe, let’s chat about the star ingredients: chicken and broccoli. First, the chicken. I like to use boneless, skinless breasts because they’re quick and easy to cook. Make sure you cut them into bite-sized pieces before you start. This ensures even cooking and makes it easier to eat in the bake. Feel free to use chicken thighs if you prefer a richer flavor, just adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Now for the broccoli. Fresh broccoli is best here – the frozen stuff can get a little mushy. Cut it into florets, making sure they’re all roughly the same size. Nobody wants a giant broccoli tree in their Chicken Broccoli Orzo Bake! A great tip for even cooking is to blanch the broccoli florets for a couple of minutes in boiling water, then immediately plunge them into an ice bath. This stops the cooking process and keeps them nice and green. I love this step, but you can also lightly saute them in a pan with the chicken if you prefer.

This Chicken Broccoli Orzo Bake is also fantastic for making Easy Lunches With Chicken. You can bake it on Sunday and portion it out for the week. Talk about a time saver! If you are looking for a different cheesy chicken recipe you should try Cheesy Chicken Orzo

Step-by-Step Instructions

Get Started: Prep & Sauté

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Add the broccoli florets to the skillet with the chicken and cook for another 3-5 minutes, until slightly tender-crisp. Remove the chicken and broccoli from the skillet and set aside.

Make the Creamy Orzo: The Heart of the Bake

4. In the same skillet (don’t worry about any leftover bits – they’ll add flavor!), melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes.
5. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic!
6. Stir in the uncooked orzo pasta and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to lightly toast the orzo. This step adds a nice nutty flavor to the dish.
7. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and cook for 10-12 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and the liquid has been absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
8. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the heavy cream, cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, and nutmeg. Season with salt and pepper to taste. The sauce should be creamy and cheesy.

Assemble and Bake: The Grand Finale

9. Add the cooked chicken and broccoli to the skillet with the cheesy orzo. Stir gently to combine everything evenly.
10. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out in an even layer.
11. If desired, sprinkle the top with breadcrumbs and extra Parmesan cheese for a golden-brown crust.
12. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is bubbly and golden brown.
13. Let the Chicken Broccoli Orzo Bake cool for a few minutes before serving.

Troubleshooting & Tips: Because We All Make Mistakes!

Listen, even the best chefs have kitchen mishaps! Here are a few common issues you might encounter and how to fix them:

• Dry Bake: If your Chicken Broccoli Orzo Bake seems dry after baking, you can add a little extra chicken broth or cream to the mixture before baking. Make sure the orzo is cooked al dente (slightly firm) before baking to prevent it from soaking up too much liquid.
• Mushy Broccoli: As mentioned before, blanching the broccoli helps prevent it from getting mushy. You can also add it to the bake later in the baking process to prevent overcooking.
• Bland Flavor: Don’t be afraid to season generously! Taste the orzo mixture before adding the chicken and broccoli and adjust the seasoning as needed. A little extra garlic powder or onion powder can also add a boost of flavor. Also, remember a good quality broth will impact the flavor of your Chicken Orzo With Broccoli.
• Cheese Not Melting Properly: Make sure the cheese is shredded finely and evenly distributed throughout the bake. You can also try using a different type of cheese, such as mozzarella or Gruyere, which melt well.

This dish also makes fantastic Quick Prep Meals. You can chop the broccoli and chicken ahead of time and store them in the fridge.

Variations and Adaptations: Make It Your Own!

The beauty of this Chicken Broccoli Orzo Bake is that it’s incredibly versatile. Feel free to customize it to your liking!

• Add Veggies: Get creative with your vegetables! Consider adding chopped bell peppers, mushrooms, spinach, or peas.
• Spice it Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the orzo mixture for a little heat. You can also use a spicy cheese, such as pepper jack.
• Different Protein: Not a fan of chicken? You can substitute it with cooked sausage, shrimp, or even tofu.
• Cheese Swap: I love cheddar and parmesan, but feel free to play with different cheeses! Mozzarella, Gruyere, or Monterey Jack would all be delicious.
• Breadcrumb Topping: For extra crunch, use panko breadcrumbs instead of regular breadcrumbs. Toss the panko breadcrumbs with melted butter and Parmesan cheese before sprinkling them over the bake.
• Healthy Swap: Looking to make this a bit healthier? Use whole wheat orzo and low-fat milk or Greek yogurt in place of the heavy cream.

If you want a similar recipe but with a different pasta, then you need to try Creamy Tortellini With Chicken And Broccoli. Or if you like the flavors but want a soup instead, then give Rotisserie Chicken Mushroom Soup a shot.

Serving Suggestions: Complete the Meal!

This Chicken Broccoli Orzo Bake is a complete meal on its own, but if you’re looking to round it out, here are a few serving suggestions:

• Side Salad: A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette is a perfect complement to the richness of the bake.
• Garlic Bread: Who can resist a slice of warm garlic bread with a cheesy bake?
• Roasted Vegetables: Roast some extra vegetables, such as asparagus or Brussels sprouts, to serve alongside the bake.

This is also a great recipe if you are aiming for a Healthy Dinner One Pan meal. You can add other veggies to it, like carrots.

Storage and Reheating: Make Ahead Magic!

This Chicken Broccoli Orzo Bake is perfect for making ahead of time. You can assemble the bake and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time to ensure it’s heated through.

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, or microwave in individual portions. You may want to add a splash of chicken broth or water before reheating to prevent it from drying out. If you love creamy, cheesy bakes, you might also enjoy this Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Bake.

Why This Recipe Works (and Why You’ll Love It!)

This Chicken Broccoli Orzo Bake works because it combines simple, comforting flavors with a creamy, cheesy sauce that’s baked to bubbly perfection. The orzo pasta is the perfect vehicle for the chicken, broccoli, and sauce, and the bake is easy to customize to your liking. Plus, it’s a great way to use up leftover chicken or vegetables.

You’ll love this recipe because it’s:

• Easy to make: With just a few simple steps, you can have a delicious and satisfying meal on the table in under an hour.
• Versatile: Customize it with your favorite vegetables, cheeses, and proteins.
• Comforting: The creamy, cheesy sauce and tender orzo pasta make this bake the ultimate comfort food.
• Make-ahead friendly: Perfect for busy weeknights or potlucks.
• Kid-friendly: Even picky eaters will love this cheesy and flavorful bake.

If you are looking for another comforting creamy recipe, you can’t go wrong with Creamy Dreamy Broccoli Soup. And, of course, if you are a garlic lover, consider Garlic Parmesan Chicken for another great meal option!

So, grab your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to enjoy a delicious and comforting Chicken Broccoli Orzo Bake! You won’t regret it. I know you can do it!

ULTIMATE CHICKEN BROCCOLI ORZO BAKE

Amelia Chen-Morrison

This Chicken Broccoli Orzo Bake is the ultimate comfort food, featuring tender chicken, vibrant broccoli, and perfectly cooked orzo, all coated in a creamy, cheesy sauce. Baked to bubbly perfection, this recipe is easy to make and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Calories 650 kcal

Equipment

• 9×13 inch baking dish
• Large skillet
• Mixing spoon
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Oven
• Knife
• Cutting board
• Colander (optional, for blanching broccoli)

Ingredients

  

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 large head of broccoli, cut into florets
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 ½ cups orzo pasta, uncooked
• 4 cups chicken broth
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Extra Parmesan cheese optional, for topping
• Red pepper flakes optional, for topping

Instructions

 

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
• In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Add the broccoli florets to the skillet with the chicken and cook for another 3-5 minutes, until slightly tender-crisp. Remove the chicken and broccoli from the skillet and set aside.
• In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes.
• Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, until fragrant.
• Stir in the uncooked orzo pasta and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to lightly toast the orzo.
• Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and cook for 10-12 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and the liquid has been absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
• Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the heavy cream, cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, and nutmeg. Season with salt and pepper to taste. The sauce should be creamy and cheesy.
• Add the cooked chicken and broccoli to the skillet with the cheesy orzo. Stir gently to combine everything evenly.
• Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out in an even layer.
• If desired, sprinkle the top with breadcrumbs and extra Parmesan cheese for a golden-brown crust.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is bubbly and golden brown.
• Let the Chicken Broccoli Orzo Bake cool for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

For a dry bake, add extra chicken broth or cream before baking. To prevent mushy broccoli, blanch it before adding to the bake. Don’t be afraid to season generously. This dish can be assembled ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Customize with your favorite vegetables, cheeses, and proteins. For a healthier version, use whole wheat orzo and low-fat milk or Greek yogurt in place of the heavy cream.