Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Orzo Casserole

Name: Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Orzo Casserole
Prep time: 7 min
Cook time: 23 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb chicken breast tenderloins, cut into 1 inch pieces; 1 1/2 tsp salt, divided; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp onion powder; 1 tsp smoked paprika; 2 tbsp butter; 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta; 2 1/2 cups chicken broth; 1 cup milk; 3 cups frozen broccoli florets; 4 oz sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded

This one pot dinner brings together tender chicken, broccoli, and cheesy orzo for a perfect family meal.

By Daily Recipes Book· 🌍 American· August 28, 2026

Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Orzo Casserole

dailyrecipesbook.com

Prep

7 minutes

Cook

23 minutes

Total

30 minutes

Serves

This creamy chicken and broccoli casserole is one of my favorite ways to get a cozy dinner on the table without spending all evening in the kitchen. By using orzo pasta, we get a rich and satisfying texture that usually takes much longer to achieve with traditional baking methods.

I love this recipe because it is a complete meal in a single pan. Using frozen broccoli makes prep a breeze, and the orzo cooks right in the seasoned broth and milk mixture to soak up all that wonderful flavor.

Ingredients

1 lb chicken breast tenderloins, cut into 1 inch pieces
1 1/2 tsp salt, divided
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
2 tbsp butter
1 tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 cups orzo pasta
2 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 cup milk
3 cups frozen broccoli florets
4 oz sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded

Instructions

1
Season the chicken pieces with 1/2 teaspoon of salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika.
2
Heat the butter and olive oil in a large oven safe skillet over medium high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned on all sides.
3
Add the dry orzo to the pan with the chicken and cook for about 2 minutes to lightly toast the pasta.
4
Pour in the chicken broth and milk. Stir well to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
5
Reduce the heat to medium low. Let the mixture simmer gently for about 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally so the orzo does not stick to the bottom.
6
Add the frozen broccoli to the pan and continue to simmer for another 5 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and the sauce has thickened.
7
Stir in half of the shredded cheddar cheese until melted throughout.
8
Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top of the casserole.
9
Place the skillet under your oven broiler for 3 to 5 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and golden brown. Serve warm.

💡 Tips

For the smoothest texture, grate your cheese from a block rather than using pre shredded bags. If you need dinner in a hurry, you can swap the raw chicken for rotisserie chicken and stir it in right before you add the cheese. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

#Chicken #Dinner #One Pot #Quick Meal #Comfort Food

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