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Monterey Chicken One Pan Orzo

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This Monterey Chicken Orzo is a rich, creamy, one-skillet comfort meal made with tender chicken, orzo pasta, sour cream, and cream of chicken soup—all topped with crispy fried onions. Easy to prepare and packed with flavor, it’s the ultimate cozy dinner that’s ready in just over 30 minutes with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • Salt, to taste
  • Pepper, to taste
  • Garlic powder (optional)
  • 10.5 oz can cream of chicken soup with herbs
  • 16 oz container sour cream
  • 1 cup dry orzo pasta
  • 1½ cups chicken broth
  • Shredded Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese (optional)
  • 6 oz can French’s crispy fried onions

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil or butter in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat.
  2. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Sear until golden on both sides (does not need to be fully cooked). Remove and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, combine cream of chicken soup, sour cream, chicken broth, and dry orzo. Stir until smooth.
  4. Nestle the seared chicken into the orzo mixture.
  5. Cover with a lid or foil and simmer on low for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and chicken is fully cooked.
  6. Top with shredded cheese (if using) and crispy fried onions.
  7. Broil for 2–3 minutes until golden and bubbling.
  8. Let rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the sauce to thicken.

Notes

  • Swap sour cream with plain Greek yogurt for a lighter version.
  • Add steamed broccoli, spinach, or mushrooms for more veggies.
  • Stir in rotisserie chicken instead of raw chicken for a faster prep.
  • Smoked paprika or hot sauce adds a nice kick to the creamy base.
  • If orzo gets too thick, stir in extra broth during cooking.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookedbymaya.com/monterey-chicken-one-pan-orzo/