This One Pot Orzo dinner is so creamy and delicious that you can't even tell that it is packed with vegetables! Try this Creamy One Pot Chicken, Vegetable, and Orzo with Bacon tonight!
Creamy One Pot Chicken and Vegetable
Do you ever eat something that is just so creamy and rich that you're like, "no way this is good for me?" Well this is that but packed with vegetables. Better yet, frozen vegetables that you don't have to chop or thaw. Just toss them right in there. That is the life! Oh, and there's also bacon. So I think this creamy orzo recipe really hits all the check boxes!
Originally, I had wanted to add even more vegetables to think such as spinach or some chopped cauliflower but lets just keep it simple and stick with the frozen vegetables because sometimes it's just want we have on hand and they tend to be on sale more often than fresh produce. But if you have little ones and want to sneak even more vegetables into this creamy one pot ozro recipe, be my guest.
What You Need to Make This Creamy Orzo Chicken and Vegetable Recipe
- bacon
- red onion
- garlic
- chicken breast: be sure to cut them into small bite size pieces. You could also use chicken thighs if you prefer.
- salt, pepper, paprika
- frozen vegetable mix: mine is peas, corn, and carrots mix from the Green Giant.
- butter: I use unsalted butter since I already added salt and pepper
- flour
- whole milk
- orzo
- asiago cheese
How To Make a Creamy Orzo, Chicken, and Vegetable dish in One Pot
In a large skillet on medium heat, cook your bacon until it is at the level of crispiness you desire. When done, set the bacon aside, do not drain the bacon fat.
Using the bacon fat, cook your onions and garlic for 1-2 minutes.
Next, add in your chicken breast. Cook for 5-7 minutes, until it's almost cooked through and then add in the frozen vegetables. Cook until the vegetables have softened.
Remove everything from the skillet and set it aside on a covered plate or bowl.
Back in your skillet, melt the butter and whisk in the flour until it has combined. Slowly whisk in chicken broth and whole milk.
Once combined, add in the orzo, turn the temperature up until the mixture has bubbled, then turn it back down to a simmer for 5-7 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent the orzo from sticking to the bottom of the skillet.
When the orzo has cooked through, add the chicken and vegetables along with the asiago cheese into the skillet and mix well to combine.
Top off with the bacon crumbled into small pieces (or stir it in, whichever you prefer).
Substitutions for this creamy one pot orzo recipe
Other vegetables you may like to add or swap out for:
- broccoli
- cauliflower
- spinach
- zucchini
- asparagus
If you do not have asiago cheese, you could use:
- white cheddar
- parmesan
The bacon in this recipe provides the fat needed to cook everything else, if you do not want to add bacon to this, be sure to add in olive oil to cook the onions, garlic, chicken, and vegetables.
tIPS AND NOTES ON MAKING THIS ONE POT ORZO CHICKEN AND VEGETABLES
Any leftovers are stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
Recipe
Creamy One Pot Chicken, Vegetable, and Orzo
Ingredients
- 4-5 strips bacon
- 1 red onion, diced
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into small pieces
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 3 cups frozen vegetable mix
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup orzo
- 1 cup asiago cheese
Instructions
- In a large skillet on medium heat, cook your bacon until it is at the level of crispiness you desire. When done, set the bacon aside, do not drain the bacon fat.
- Using the bacon fat, cook your onions and garlic for 1-2 minutes.
- Next, add in your chicken breast. Cook for 5-7 minutes, until it's almost cooked through and then add in the frozen vegetables. Cook until the vegetables have softened.
- Remove everything from the skillet and set it aside on a covered plate or bowl.
- Back in your skillet, melt the butter and whisk in the flour until it has combined. Slowly whisk in chicken broth and whole milk.
- Once combined, add in the orzo, turn the temperature up until the mixture has bubbled, then turn it back down to a simmer for 5-7 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent the orzo from sticking to the bottom of the skillet.
- When the orzo has cooked through, add the chicken and vegetables along with the asiago cheese into the skillet and mix well to combine.
- Top off with the bacon crumbled into small pieces (or stir it in, whichever you prefer).
Notes
Nutrition
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