Creamy Chicken Pot Pie Orzo (Printable)
A comforting one-pot creamy orzo with tender chicken, vegetables, and a rich savory sauce.
# 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 & 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:
01 - Melt butter in a large pot or deep skillet over medium heat. Add onions, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 4–5 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
02 - Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir to coat evenly. Cook for 1 minute to remove the raw flour taste.
04 - Slowly whisk in chicken broth, then add milk. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring constantly to prevent lumps.
05 - Add orzo, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper. Stir well. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until orzo is al dente and the sauce thickens.
06 - Stir in heavy cream, cooked chicken, and frozen peas. Simmer for 3–5 more minutes until chicken is heated through and peas are tender. Adjust seasoning as needed.
07 - Remove from heat and let sit for 2–3 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken further. Garnish with extra parsley and serve warm.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It captures every cozy flavor of traditional chicken pot pie without the fuss of making or rolling any crust.
- One pot means you spend less time cleaning and more time eating, which is always the goal on busy weeknights.
02 -
- Stir the orzo frequently while it simmers because it loves to stick to the bottom of the pot when you look away even for a moment.
- The sauce will continue to thicken as it sits off the heat, so pull it from the stove when it looks slightly thinner than you want the final result.
03 -
- Add a splash of dry white wine right after the broth for a layer of acidity that cuts through the richness beautifully.
- Swap in leftover Thanksgiving turkey and a handful of fresh sage leaves for the most comforting post holiday meal imaginable.