Description
This One Pot French Onion Orzo with Chicken is a flavorful and comforting dish combining tender cubed chicken, caramelized onions, and cheesy orzo. A delicious twist on classic French onion soup, this recipe is simple to prepare in one pan, making it perfect for an easy and hearty meal packed with protein and rich flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Aromatics
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1.5 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 4 cups thinly sliced onions (about 3 medium onions), 1/4 inch thick, cut into half moons
Liquids and Seasonings
- 1/4 cup chicken stock (for deglazing the pan)
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 3 bay leaves
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
Grains and Cheese
- 1 cup uncooked orzo
- 1 1/4 cup shredded cheese (3/4 cup mozzarella and 1/2 cup asiago)
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Remove the chicken from packaging and cut into even 1/2 inch cubes by slicing on a cutting board.
- Heat Oil: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a pan over medium high heat for 2-3 minutes until shimmering.
- Cook Chicken: Add the cubed chicken and cook on medium high heat for 5-7 minutes until golden brown. If excess liquid is released, remove some by using paper towels to ensure the chicken browns nicely.
- Prep Vegetables: While the chicken cooks, chop onions and garlic and measure spices.
- Set Chicken Aside: Remove cooked chicken from pan and place in a bowl; lower heat to medium.
- Sauté Onions & Garlic: Add butter to pan with onions and garlic; stir and cook uncovered for 5 minutes.
- Deglaze Pan: Add 1/4 cup chicken stock and Worcestershire sauce, scrape bottom of the pan, and cook another 5-10 minutes until onions become dark and caramelized.
- Toast Orzo: Add orzo, bay leaves, salt, pepper, and dried thyme; stir and toast gently for about 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds to prevent sticking.
- Combine and Cook: Add cooked chicken and 2 cups chicken stock; cover and cook for 10 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes to prevent sticking.
- Remove Bay Leaves: Take out and discard the bay leaves from the pot.
- Add Cheese and Serve: Stir in shredded cheese until melted and creamy. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- This recipe is a delicious, protein-packed twist on classic French onion soup.
- To achieve a nice golden color on the chicken, remove excess liquid during cooking so it can brown properly.
- Stirring the orzo periodically while cooking prevents it from sticking to the pan.
- Feel free to use other cheeses like Gruyere or Parmesan for variations in flavor.
- For a dairy-free version, omit the cheese or use dairy-free alternatives.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 598 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 595 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 53 g
- Cholesterol: 144 mg
