Creamy Chicken Pot Pie Orzo (Print Version)
One-pot creamy orzo with tender chicken and vegetables in a rich, savory sauce.
# 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 - 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta
08 - 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
09 - 1 cup whole milk
10 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
11 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
12 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
→ Seasonings
13 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
14 - 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley, plus extra for garnish
15 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
16 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
# How to Make It:
01 - Melt butter in a large pot or deep skillet over medium heat. Add onions, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 4–5 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
02 - Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir to coat evenly. Cook for 1 minute to remove the raw flour taste.
04 - Slowly whisk in chicken broth, then add milk. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring constantly.
05 - Add orzo, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper. Stir well. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until orzo is al dente and the sauce thickens.
06 - Stir in heavy cream, cooked chicken, and peas. Simmer for 3–5 more minutes until chicken is heated through and peas are tender. Adjust seasoning as needed.
07 - Remove from heat and let sit for 2–3 minutes to thicken. Garnish with extra parsley and serve warm.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Everything cooks in one pot, which means you get all the cozy flavor of chicken pot pie with exactly zero pie dough stress.
- The orzo soaks up the savory broth and cream until every single bite is velvety and rich, yet the whole thing comes together in under an hour.
02 -
- Stir the orzo frequently while it simmers because it loves to stick to the bottom of the pot when you look away even for a moment.
- The sauce will seem thin at first, but trust the resting period because it thickens dramatically as it cools for those couple of minutes off the heat.
03 -
- Taste and adjust the seasoning right before serving because the flavors concentrate as the dish rests and what seemed perfect at the stove can change by the time it reaches the bowl.
- Use the heaviest pot you own because a thin pot will create hot spots that cause the orzo to stick and scorch no matter how carefully you stir.