Caramelized Onion Chicken Orzo Bake
- A comforting one-pan meal combining tender chicken, sweet caramelized onions, and creamy orzo pasta.
- Topped with melted cheese for the perfect golden finish.
- Simple enough for weeknights but impressive enough for guests.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 45
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop and Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-Inspired
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound), cubed
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (optional)
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped (optional)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano (optional)
- 2 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped (optional)
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add thinly sliced onions with a pinch of salt.
- Cook onions slowly, stirring occasionally, until deep golden and caramelized, about 15-20 minutes.
- If using garlic and thyme, add during the final 5 minutes of caramelizing the onions.
- Remove caramelized onions and set aside.
- Increase heat to medium-high. Add chicken cubes to the same skillet, season with salt, pepper, and oregano if using.
- Sear chicken until golden brown on all sides but not fully cooked through, about 4-5 minutes.
- Add dry orzo to the skillet and stir for 1-2 minutes until lightly toasted and coated with pan juices.
- Pour in chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a simmer.
- Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 8-10 minutes until orzo is almost tender.
- Stir the caramelized onions back into the skillet. If using spinach, add it now.
- Add Parmesan cheese and lemon zest if using. Stir to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Sprinkle mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake uncovered for 15 minutes until cheese is melted and golden brown.
- Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- For extra flavor, deglaze the pan with a splash of white wine after caramelizing the onions.
- If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, transfer the mixture to a greased 2-quart baking dish before baking.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 4 days and often taste even better the next day.
- Nutrition facts are estimates and may vary based on ingredients used, portion sizes, and preparation methods.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 425
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Unsaturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 32
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 30
- Cholesterol: 75
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