Creamy Chicken Pot Pie Orzo (Print Version)
Creamy one-pot orzo with tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and a rich, savory sauce — pure comfort in a bowl.
# What You 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 tbsp unsalted butter
12 - 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
→ Seasonings
13 - ½ tsp dried thyme
14 - ½ tsp dried parsley (plus extra for garnish)
15 - ¼ tsp black pepper
16 - ½ tsp salt (or to taste)
# Directions:
01 - In a large pot or deep skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onions, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 4–5 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 over the softened vegetables and stir to coat everything evenly. Cook for 1 minute to eliminate the raw flour taste.
04 - Slowly whisk in the chicken broth, then pour in the milk. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming.
05 - Add the orzo, dried thyme, dried parsley, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally to keep the orzo from sticking, until the pasta is al dente and the sauce has thickened.
06 - Stir in the heavy cream, cooked chicken, and frozen peas. Continue simmering for 3–5 more minutes until the chicken is heated through and the peas are tender. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
07 - Remove the pot from the heat and let it sit for 2–3 minutes so the sauce finishes thickening. Garnish with extra parsley and serve warm.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It delivers every cozy, comforting flavor of chicken pot pie but skips the crust entirely, saving you time and stress.
- Everything cooks in a single pot, which means cleanup is almost embarrassingly easy for something this satisfying.
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 continue to thicken as it sits off the heat, so if it looks a little loose when you first take it off the burner, trust the process and give it a few minutes.
03 -
- Shred the chicken while it is still warm because it pulls apart more easily and absorbs more of the sauce.
- Toasting the dry orzo in the butter for one minute before adding liquid adds a subtle nutty flavor that most people will not be able to identify but everyone will notice.