Creamy Chicken Pot Pie Orzo (Printable Version)
One-pot creamy chicken orzo loaded with tender chicken, vegetables, and a rich savory sauce — comfort food made easy.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 cup carrots, diced
03 - 1 cup frozen peas
04 - 1 cup celery, diced
05 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Base & Pasta
07 - 1½ cups orzo pasta
08 - 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
09 - 1 cup whole milk
10 - ½ cup heavy cream
11 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
12 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
→ Seasonings
13 - ½ teaspoon dried thyme
14 - ½ teaspoon dried parsley (plus extra for garnish)
15 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper
16 - ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
# Directions:
01 - In a large pot or deep skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onions, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften.
02 - Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to let it brown.
03 - Sprinkle the flour evenly over the sautéed vegetables and stir to coat everything well. Cook for 1 minute to eliminate the raw flour taste.
04 - Slowly whisk in the chicken broth, then pour in the whole milk. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring constantly to keep the sauce smooth and prevent lumps.
05 - Add the orzo pasta, dried thyme, dried parsley, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking, until the orzo is al dente and the sauce has thickened.
06 - Stir in the heavy cream, cooked diced chicken, and frozen peas. Continue to simmer for 3 to 5 more minutes until the chicken is heated through and the peas are tender. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
07 - Remove the pot from the heat and let it sit for 2 to 3 minutes so the sauce can finish thickening. Garnish with additional parsley and serve warm.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- It captures everything you love about chicken pot pie, the creamy sauce, the tender veggies, the savory warmth, without ever turning on an oven.
- One pot means cleanup is almost nonexistent, which is honestly half the reason I keep coming back to this recipe on busy weeknights.
02 -
- Stirring the orzo every couple of minutes is nonnegotiable, orzo loves to stick to the bottom of the pot the moment you look away.
- Adding the cream at the end instead of with the milk prevents it from breaking or curdling during the long simmer.
03 -
- Shred your rotisserie chicken while it is still warm, cold chicken is stubborn and takes twice as long to pull apart.
- Taste and adjust the salt right before serving because the reduction during cooking concentrates flavors in unpredictable ways.