Creamy Ricotta Chicken & Orzo Skillet

A comforting, one-pan dinner where juicy chicken is nestled in tender orzo pasta and coated in a silky ricotta-parmesan sauce. With minimal cleanup and maximum flavor, it’s perfect for busy weeknights!

🛒 Ingredients for Creamy Ricotta Chicken & Orzo Skillet

• 1 lb (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-size cubes

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp onion powder

• ½ tsp paprika

• Salt & pepper, to taste

For the Skillet Orzo:

• 1 tbsp butter

• 1 small onion, finely chopped

• 3 garlic cloves, minced

• 1¼ cups dry orzo pasta

• 2 cups chicken broth (hot)

• ½ cup milk (or half-and-half for richer flavor)

• ¾ cup ricotta cheese

• ½ cup grated parmesan

• 1 tbsp lemon juice (optional)

• 2 cups fresh spinach (optional)

• Chopped parsley or basil, for garnish

🔥 How to Make It

1. Season & Cook Chicken:
   Toss chicken with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt & pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet and cook chicken 4–6 minutes until browned. Remove and set aside.

2. Sauté Aromatics:
   In the same skillet, melt butter. Add onion and cook till translucent (3 minutes), then stir in garlic for 30 seconds.

3. Toast Orzo:
   Add dry orzo and cook for 1–2 minutes until lightly golden.

4. Simmer:
   Pour in chicken broth and milk. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Cook uncovered for 8–10 minutes until orzo is nearly tender.

5. Make it Creamy:
   Stir in ricotta, parmesan, lemon juice, and spinach (if using). Return chicken to skillet.

6. Finish & Serve:
   Simmer 2–3 minutes more until thick and creamy. Garnish with parsley/basil. Serve hot 🥄

Chef’s Notes

• Use rotisserie chicken for a shortcut

• Swap spinach for peas or zucchini

• Add red pepper flakes for heat

• Cast-iron skillets retain creaminess best

💡 Pro Tips

• Don’t overcook orzo — cook until al dente

• If sauce thickens too much, loosen with warm broth or milk

• For extra creaminess: fold in 1 tbsp cream cheese

🍽️ Servings

• Makes 4 hearty main-dish servings (or 5 lighter portions)

🔍 Nutrition (per serving approx.)

🌟 Benefits

• ✔️ High in protein

• ✔️ One-pan simplicity

• ✔️ Kid and crowd friendly

• ✔️ Comfort food without being too heavy

❓ Q / A

Q: Can I make this ahead?
Yes — refrigerate up to 2 days. Reheat with a splash of broth or milk.

Q: Can I use cottage cheese instead of ricotta?
Absolutely. Blend it for a smoother texture.

Q: Is this freezer-friendly?
It’s better fresh — freezing may change the texture of ricotta and orzo.

Q: Gluten-free version?
Swap orzo for gluten-free pasta (like small rice-shaped pasta or quinoa).