If you’re a fan of risotto, you’ll love this one pot creamy chicken orzo with bacon and mushrooms just as much. It’s equally as delicious, with a very similar taste, but is simpler to make. And… there’s actually no cream in it!
Are you a fan of orzo recipes? Don’t even know what they are? Read on to find out!
Like risotto, but easier!
You could call this chicken, bacon and mushroom orzo ‘risotto for lazy people’.
Personally, I’m very partial to a lovingly-stirred risotto. But let’s face it, it can be a bore to make.
Add the stock too quickly, or fail to stir the rice enough, and you won’t end up with that lusciously silky, creamy result that makes a good risotto so delicious.
But luckily for me and for you, this one-pot chicken orzo tastes remarkably similar to a risotto!
So how do you make this delicious creamy chicken orzo?
I’m a big fan of one pot meals. Who else finds the tidying up after a meal more tiresome than making the meal in the first place?
This is all you have to do to make this delicious one pot meal:
After pan-frying your onions, herbs and chicken for a few moments, you simply dump in your dried orzo (a sort of rice-shaped pasta, just in case you were wondering!) and stock… and leave to cook.
Well OK. You stir it a few times to stop it sticking to the pan. But essentially once you’ve added everything, this chicken orzo pretty much cooks itself. I’ll take a bit (or a lot) of that on a busy weeknight!
If you like the sound of this meal, you have to try my one pot baked Greek chicken orzo, too. It’s similar, but tomato-y, and baked!
What ingredients do you need and what does it taste like?
There’s SO MUCH flavour in this.
The juicy chicken thigh, smoked bacon, and tasty brown mushrooms all give a good hit of flavour.
Then the big half-cupful of parmesan you dump in at the end brings out the flavours even more, giving the dish a gorgeous ‘umami’ quality.
Oh, and did I mention how creamy this is?
But there isn’t a drop of cream in it. Just like a risotto, the dish ends up quite creamy anyway, from the starch in the pasta I suppose, but also from the huge handful of parmesan.
I like to add a tablespoon of cream cheese to this dish at the end, too. You don’t have to do that, especially if it means buying a tub of cream cheese especially, but if you happen to have some in your fridge already… well, it would be criminal not to.
The final little ‘touch’ to my creamy chicken orzo is wilting in some big handfuls of spinach for extra nutrition. Frozen peas would do the same ‘healthifying’ job, of course.
How to serve it
This is one of those dishes that I could eat until I’m uncomfortably full (not that I’m speaking from experience of course).
You might think it’s purely a dish for winter, but I see it as a ‘meal for all seasons’. Serve with a simple green salad and a crisp white wine and I’d say it’s also a perfect light meal for a warm summer evening.
More delicious orzo recipes
- If you’re liking the one pot risotto style vibe in this post, you’ll also love this one pot baked Greek chicken orzo.
- You can make cold pasta salads with orzo too! Try this spinach, pesto and parmesan orzo salad. It’s great served as a salad side with grilled meat or fish.
- Orzo salad with feta, asparagus and chickpeas
- Did you know orzo’s also great in a soup? You have to try this creamy lemon chicken orzo soup. It’s incredible – and ready in 30 minutes!
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One-pot creamy chicken, bacon and mushroom orzo
Equipment (affiliate links)
Ingredients (UK/Australia? Click below for grams/ml)
- 1 tablespoon butter for cooking
- 1 onion chopped finely
- 2 garlic cloves crushed
- 1/2 teaspoon each dried thyme and oregano
- 4 slices smoked bacon chopped
- 12 ounces skinless boneless chicken thighs I used 5 small ones, chopped into pieces
- 9 ounces dried orzo pasta (about 1 ½ cups )
- 4 1/4 cups chicken stock
- 5 ounces mushrooms sliced
- 6 ounces fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon cream cheese or a drizzle of cream
- salt and pepper to taste
- a squeeze or two of lemon
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a large pan on a medium heat, then add the onion. Cook, stirring, for a few minutes until softened, then add the garlic and herbs. Cook for a minute or so longer.
- Add the bacon and chicken pieces to the pan and cook, stirring, for a few minutes until cooked on the outside.
- Add the dry orzo to the pan and stir in well, then pour in the chicken stock. Simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally so that the orzo doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan too much.
- Add the mushrooms and simmer for about another 10 minutes, or until the dish has thickened (there will still be some liquid, which is fine).
- At the last minute, stir in the spinach until wilted, then stir through the parmesan cheese and the tablespoon of cream cheese. Add salt, pepper, and lemon to taste.
- Serve immediately in bowls with more parmesan on top.
Alison says
Delicious and so easy!!!
Helen says
So great to hear this, Alison!
Jennifer says
I started making this up to putting risotto in with stock. I was interrupted by an important phone call so had to turn off. I was sure the whole dish would be ruined but no. Started cooking again adding mushrooms etc. it turned out beautifully. Creamy not gluggy at all. I read Orzo (Risoni) was the only pasta left on the shelf during panic buying during first stage of COVID Lockdown. I’m certainly going to be using this pasta more often. My husband & I loved this dish. I’ll be cooking it for my friends next.
Helen says
Hi Jennifer! Every now and again I get a message that really makes my day, and today this is it! 🙂 I’m so glad you enjoyed this! It’s hard to get my husband to like anything that even vaguely resembles risotto, so I’m really happy to hear that your family enjoyed this so much. That’s interesting that orzo was the only pasta left on the shelf, isn’t it? Maybe people didn’t really know what to do with it!!! I can help hahaha. Lovely to hear from you! I have another orzo recipe on the blog by the way – a Greek chicken orzo. It’s very simple too and yet quite traditionally Greek!
Jo says
Wow,just made this as I’m a massive fan of Orzo recipes, I used Quark and panchetta and it has been a great hit. I will be keeping this for a visitors supper as I know it will be a hit. Empty bowls all round. Absolutely Delicious.
Will now be on my favourites list.
Helen says
Hello Jo, and thank you so much for letting me know you enjoyed the recipe. It’s a keeper, isn’t it? I love this too! Now you have me craving it for dinner tonight… 😉
Claire says
Just made this dish and was beautiful , used chicken breast & no butter so was more WW friendly. Already want seconds was yummy.
Helen says
Hi Claire, I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you so much for letting me know. Absolutely fine to leave out the butter, and good to know that this works as a WW dish!
Lou says
I’m making this tonight… looks amazing but the hubby has just called to say he’s not home for dinner! Would it freeze and reheat well do you know? Lou.
Helen says
Hi Lou! I don’t think I’ve ever tried freezing this before, but honestly I don’t see why it wouldn’t be OK. You might find it’s a little less ‘saucy’ than when fresh, but if so try drizzling a bit more water into it.
I hope it goes OK. Fingers crossed!
(P.S. This is an edited version of my reply to you, just in case the first version came through to your email! I mistakenly thought you were commenting on my latest recipe – so sorry for any confusion!)
Jennifer says
I made this and it was so delicious. I absolutely love risotto, but it’s so hard to find restaurants that make it well, and I have been to scared to try to cook it myself. This was an awesome alternative and totally satisfied my risotto craving. I ate way too much. Oh, and the kids liked it and hubby who is not really a fan of parmesan.
Helen says
Hi Jennifer! Thanks so much for leaving your feedback. My husband loved this too, and he really doesn’t like risotto. You’ve made me want to make it again soon now! I’ve got another chicken orzo recipe on the blog that you might be interested in – baked Greek chicken orzo (https://scrummylane.com/baked-greek-chicken-orzo/) We love this one too!
Tiffany Webber says
This was amazing!! My whole family loved it. I even had a little bit left over for my lunch the next day!
Helen says
Hi Tiffany. Really happy you enjoyed this – thanks so much for leaving your feedback!
Sarah says
Hi! I was googling orzo recipes and came across your blog. This was delicious and will be added to my list of go-to recipes. A couple of days later I made your pastitsio, the yogurt dressing was much easier. Looking forward to trying lots of youryr other recipes.
Helen says
Hi Sarah – thank you so much for taking the time to leave your feedback. This sort of comment always makes my day. I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipes. If you enjoyed the pastitsio, you might enjoy my moussaka too. I have a lower calorie turkey one with the yogurt topping and a regular one made with beef mince. 🙂
Jacquelyn to uh ota says
Cant wait to make this dish ive got all the ingredients now, its on tomorrow night, prep it tonight so that all my sesoning marinate overnight, my 17 year old high school son and his friend will truly enjoy this with brown rice and a side of corn on the cob with a warm butter milk home make biscuit.
Helen says
Hi Jacquelyn! Really happy you’re going to give this a go, and hope you enjoy it!
Amy says
This is absolutely delicious food for lazy people 🙂
Helen says
Hi Amy, and thanks for passing by and commenting. Hope you give this a go some time – I love it!
Chrissy says
Not a huge pasta fan but orzo is my one weakness! Probably because it does just feel like risotto!
Helen says
Hi Chrissy! Hope you give it a go!
Mariana says
This recipe has two of my favourite things: one pot and orzo! Looks perfect for summer nights
Helen says
Thanks Mariana… glad you like this! 🙂
Eva says
Ton plat me fait vraiment envie, il est parfait pour moi parce que en été, je deviens un peu plus paresseuse, je passe moins temps dans la cuisine, en plus j’adore le plats uniques, complètes. Cette recette a tous pour plaire. Bon dimanche Helen.
Helen says
Merci, Eva… bon mercredi! 🙂
Lorraine @Not Quite Nigella says
This would disappear in no time in our household I think! I love orzo and it’s such a quick cook sub for rice!
Helen says
🙂
[email protected] says
This is a delicious bowl of comfort food and very flavorful too. Lovely recipe.
Helen says
Thank you so much, dear Janette!
Marlene says
This looks delicious, Helen. And yes, the addition of spinach to make a one-dish dinner is perfect. I do that often with my curries. This is going on my must-try list.
Helen says
Hello Marlene. Thank you so much! I’ve got the left-over spinach stashed away in my freezer ready to stuff into loads of other things!
Shashi @ RunninSrilankan says
Helen, WOA – this looks so creamy – And, with no cream and plenty of brown mushrooms, spinach and bacon – this is my kinda chicken and orzo dish!
You are indeed right, this would be perfect any time of the year – so comforting and delicious!
Helen says
Thank you, dear Shashi! I love year-round dishes!
Kathleen | Hapa Nom Nom says
My stomach literally just growled looking at this dish! This is genius, Helen! Get that creamy risotto texture with orzo and with way less baby sitting, is just brilliant! Not to mention those incredible flavors you’ve got going on – chicken thighs, mushrooms, BACON. I gotta make this!
Helen says
So happy to have got a growl out of your stomach, Kathleen! 🙂
Marissa says
As I have a lazy-lean myself, this looks like a wonderful and quick risotto alternative. Plus, who doesn’t love chicken, bacon and mushrooms together? This looks wonderful, Helen!
Helen says
So glad I’m not the only one with the lazy lean! 🙂
Karly says
Cream, chicken, bacon, bliss. For real, this is everything I love in one and I cannot wait to give it a try. Looks amazing!
Helen says
Hi Karly! Thanks so much for taking the time to visit and comment. So glad you like the sound of this, and hope you give it a go! 🙂