Creamy Chicken Pot Pie Orzo (Printable Version)
A one-pot creamy orzo with tender chicken, vegetables, and a rich savory sauce inspired by classic pot pie.
# What You'll 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 and Pasta
07 - 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta
08 - 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
09 - 1 cup whole milk
10 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
11 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
12 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
→ Seasonings
13 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
14 - 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley (plus extra for garnish)
15 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
16 - 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
# How to Make It:
01 - Melt butter in a large pot or deep skillet over medium heat. Add onions, carrots, and celery, sautéing for 4 to 5 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
02 - Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Sprinkle flour over the vegetables, stirring to coat evenly. Cook for 1 minute to remove the raw flour taste.
04 - Slowly whisk in the chicken broth, then add the milk. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring constantly to prevent lumps.
05 - Add orzo, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper, stirring well. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the orzo is al dente and the sauce has thickened.
06 - Stir in the heavy cream, cooked chicken, and frozen peas. Simmer for 3 to 5 more minutes until the chicken is heated through and the peas are tender. Adjust seasoning as needed.
07 - Remove from heat and let sit for 2 to 3 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken further. Garnish with extra parsley and serve warm.
# Expert Insights:
01 -
- It delivers every cozy comfort of chicken pot pie without the fuss of making actual pastry crust.
- One pot means you get a rich, creamy dinner with almost zero cleanup afterward.
02 -
- Stir the orzo every couple of minutes while it simmers because it loves to stick to the bottom of the pot when you look away.
- The sauce will seem thin before the orzo is done, so trust the process and let the pasta finish absorbing the liquid before you panic.
03 -
- Dice all your vegetables roughly the same size so every spoonful gives you a balanced bite of everything.
- Taste and adjust the salt at the very end, because the broth reduces and concentrates as it cooks.