Description
Monterey Chicken One Pan Orzo is a flavorful and comforting American dish featuring tender bite-sized chicken pieces cooked with orzo pasta in a cheesy, smoky barbecue sauce. This easy stovetop recipe combines savory flavors from smoked paprika, garlic, and bacon with creamy Monterey Jack cheese for a hearty, kid-friendly meal perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Other Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1/2 cup cooked and crumbled bacon
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces along with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Cook for 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally until the chicken is lightly browned and mostly cooked through.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Push the chicken to one side of the pan and add the diced onion. Sauté for 2–3 minutes until the onion softens, then stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute to release its aroma.
- Add Orzo and Liquids: Stir in the uncooked orzo pasta, coating it in the pan juices. Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth and barbecue sauce, mixing thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Simmer the Orzo: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the skillet and cook for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Incorporate Cheese: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in half of the shredded Monterey Jack cheese until melted and combined into the dish.
- Top and Melt Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining Monterey Jack cheese, crumbled bacon, diced tomatoes, and chopped green onions evenly over the top. Cover the skillet again for 2–3 minutes to allow the cheese to melt perfectly.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve the warm, cheesy Monterey Chicken One Pan Orzo immediately.
Notes
- For a quicker version, substitute fresh chicken with rotisserie chicken pieces.
- Add a handful of baby spinach in the last few minutes of cooking for extra vegetables and nutrients.
- This dish reheats very well, making it ideal for meal prep and leftovers.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 710mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 37g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
