Cheesy One-Pot Chicken-Broccoli Orzo

4.8
(9)
8 Reviews

This cheesy chicken-broccoli orzo is the ultimate weeknight game-changer. This dish brings crowd-pleasing flavors together in one pan for easy cleanup. It’s perfect for busy nights when you want something satisfying, comforting and delicious. Sharp Cheddar cheese adds savory flavor, but another easy-melting cheese like Gruyère or Swiss would work well too.

By
Amanda Stanfield
Amanda Stanfield Headshot
Amanda Stanfield
Amanda Stanfield is a Test Kitchen assistant at EatingWell. She completed her undergraduate degree in journalism and strategic communications at Hampton University. After graduation, Amanda worked in the nonprofit sector as a marketing associate for a global nonprofit organization. In 2018, she pivoted into the food industry and began training in fine-dining restaurants around Atlanta. Later she gained her culinary degree from Johnson & Wales University and went on to work in a variety of kitchens from boutique restaurants to conference hotels.As a true foodie, Amanda seeks out nutritious and unique flavors to inspire others to eat happily and healthfully. When she's not cooking up delicious recipes, you can find her lap swimming in the pool or watching a good sci-fi movie.
EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines
Updated on September 7, 2025
Reviewed by Dietitian
Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD
Emily Lachtrupp Headshot
Reviewed by Dietitian Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD

Emily Lachtrupp is a registered dietitian experienced in nutritional counseling, recipe analysis and meal plans. She's worked with clients who struggle with diabetes, weight loss, digestive issues and more. In her spare time, you can find her enjoying all that Vermont has to offer with her family and her dog, Winston.

EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines
an image of the Cheesy One-Pot Chicken-Broccoli Orzo
Credit:

Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell
Active Time:
50 mins
Total Time:
50 mins
Servings:
6
Nutrition Profile:
No Added Sugar Gut Healthy Mediterranean Diet Sesame-Free Weight Loss Nut-Free Healthy Pregnancy Soy-Free High-Fiber High-Protein Egg-Free
  • Enjoy the convenience of a one-pot meal with this simple chicken-broccoli orzo dish.
  • Chicken breasts add lean protein and B vitamins, supporting a healthy immune system.
  • Stirring the orzo while it cooks ensures a creamy and delightful texture in every bite.

Busy weeknights just got better—and tastier—with this Cheesy One-Pot Chicken-Broccoli Orzo. This high-protein, one-pot dish includes chicken, broccoli, pasta and three kinds of melty, creamy cheese that coat everything they touch. Simple seasonings, including Italian herbs, onions and garlic, balance the flavors. And one-pot means quick and easy cleanup. Keep reading for our expert tips, including how to save on prep time.

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

  • Stir the orzo as it cooks. Doing so coaxes out the starches and yields a creamy texture.
  • We like this recipe with chicken breasts, but chicken thighs would be equally delicious.
  • You can save time by buying prepackaged broccoli florets.

Nutrition Notes

  • Chicken breast brings lean, muscle-building protein to this dish, plus some micronutrients, like B vitamins and choline, all of which support a healthy immune system.
  • Broccoli adds a ton of health benefits to this dish. The nutrients in broccoli have been linked with reduced inflammation and a healthier heart. Your skin might even have a healthier glow when you eat broccoli regularly. 
  • Whole-wheat orzo brings the beauty and benefits of whole grains to this one-pot dish. Including more whole grains in your diet will keep things moving through your gut, thanks to their fiber, plus help reduce disease-causing chronic inflammation in your body.
  • This dish would not be complete without the melty goodness of cheese. But that’s not all cheese adds to this dish. It also brings protein and calcium for strong muscles and bones.
an image of the ingredients to make the Cheesy One-Pot Chicken-Broccoli Orzo

Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 6 servings

  • 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces

  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, divided

  • ½ teaspoon salt, divided

  • ½ teaspoon ground pepper, divided

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

  • 1 small yellow onion, chopped (about 1 cup)

  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic (from 3 cloves)

  • 6 cups fresh broccoli florets

  • 3 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth

  • 1¼ cups whole-wheat orzo (8 ounces)

  • 1 (5.3-ounce) package garlic-and-herb spreadable cheese (such as Boursin)

  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

  • ¾ cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, divided

  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives, divided

Directions

  1. Combine chicken, ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning and ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper in a medium bowl; toss until evenly coated. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken; cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown in spots and an instant-read thermometer inserted in the middle of a piece registers 165℉, about 12 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and cover to keep warm. Wipe the skillet clean.

    an image of the chicken and seasoning cooking in a skillet

    Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell

  2. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in the same skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion; cook, stirring often, until softened and lightly browned, about 4 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon garlic; cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add 6 cups broccoli; cook, stirring often, until bright green and beginning to soften, about 3 minutes. Stir in 3 cups broth and 1¼ cups orzo; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium; simmer, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is al dente, 10 to 12 minutes.

    an image of the orzo and broccoli cooking in the skillet

    Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell

  3. Reduce heat to low. Add 1 (5.3-ounce) package garlic-and-herb spreadable cheese, ½ cup Parmesan, ½ cup Cheddar and the remaining ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning and ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper; cook, stirring, until the cheese is melted and creamy, about 1 minute. Remove from heat; fold in the chicken and 1 tablespoon chives. Sprinkle with the remaining ¼ cup Cheddar and 1 tablespoon chives.

    an image of the orzo, broccoli, and chicken being stirred together in a skillet

    Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What’s the easiest way to mince garlic?

    A good garlic press or rasp grater can make mincing garlic a cinch. However, using a knife can be just as effective. Smash the clove with the side of the knife, peel and then chop it into tiny pieces.

  • How should I store and reheat leftovers?

    You can enjoy delicious leftovers for about 4 days. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator, portion it out and reheat it in a microwave on High, checking it at 30-second intervals, until warmed.

  • What should I serve with cheesy chicken-broccoli orzo?

    This recipe is both satisfying and substantial. To complement it, a refreshing salad such as our Leafy Green Salad would be perfect, along with grilled French bread. If you choose to use bread from the bakery, check out our Garlic Butter recipe.

EatingWell.com, December 2024

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

536 Calories
17g Fat
53g Carbs
45g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Serving Size 1¼ cups
Calories 536
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 53g 19%
Dietary Fiber 8g 27%
Total Sugars 3g
Added Sugars 0g 0%
Protein 45g 89%
Total Fat 17g 22%
Saturated Fat 6g 31%
Cholesterol 108mg 36%
Vitamin A 125µg
Vitamin C 90mg 100%
Vitamin D 0µg
Vitamin E 3mg 17%
Folate 135µg
Vitamin K 102µg
Sodium 805mg 35%
Calcium 301mg 23%
Iron 4mg 22%
Magnesium 118mg 28%
Potassium 1076mg 23%
Zinc 4mg 33%
Vitamin B12 1µg
Omega 3 0g

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Additional reporting by
Carrie Myers, M.S.
Carrie Myers
Carrie Myers, M.S.
Carrie Myers is a portfolio entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in the health and wellness space. As a writer and editor, Carrie has worked for both consumer and trade print and online publications. She's been quoted in several articles as a health and fitness expert. Carrie is also a certified life and wellness coach and exercise physiologist, and the founder of CarrieMichele Co., a lifestyle company that helps women create lives they love where they can be authentic.
EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines
and
Linda Frahm
Linda Frahm
Linda Frahm has been a copy editor and fact checker working with food and nutrition content for the past 30-plus years for consumer print and online publications.
EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines