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A white bowl full of cheesy orzo, baked chicken, and roasted broccoli with a spoon place into the center of the bowl.

Spicy Cheddar Chicken & Broccoli Orzo for Two

Sara
Creamy, cheesy orzo topped with roasted broccoli, seasoned chicken, and everything seasoning.
4.94 from 15 votes
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 2 servings
Calories 575 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

For the Chicken and Broccoli:

  • 8 oz. boneless, skinless Chicken Breast or Chicken Thighs
  • 3 cups Broccoli Florets
  • 1 small Jalapeno thinly sliced (see notes)
  • 1 tbsp. Butter quartered
  • 1 tbsp. Avocado Oil
  • 1 tsp. Smoked Paprika divided
  • 1 tsp. Garlic Powder divided
  • Salt & Cracked Black Pepper

For the Cheddar Orzo:

  • 1 tbsp. Butter
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped Onion yellow or white
  • 1 clove Garlic minced
  • Salt & Cracked Black Pepper
  • 1/2 cup dry Orzo
  • 1 cup Vegetable or Chicken Broth
  • 2 tbsp. Whole Milk
  • 1 tbsp. Sour Cream
  • 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar Cheese
  • Everything Seasoning for garnish

Instructions
 

For the Chicken and Broccoli:

  • Preheat the oven to 425 F. Cut the 8 oz. boneless, skinless Chicken Breast into small bite-sized cubes, about 1" in size. Toss the chicken with 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp. garlic powder, and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Spread the chicken out onto a small rimmed baking sheet and place the cubes of 1 tbsp. Butter on on top. Set aside.
  • Toss the 3 cups Broccoli Florets with 1 tbsp. Avocado Oil 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp. garlic powder, and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Spread broccoli out onto a separate small rimmed baking sheet.
    Two small sheet pans resting next to one another: one full of broccoli florets, and the other full of cubed seasoned chicken with dabs of butter resting on top.
  • Once the oven is preheated, pop in the chicken and broccoli and set a timer for ten minutes. After ten minutes, carefully toss the 1 small Jalapeno (sliced) with the chicken and place back into the oven. Roast for another ten minutes. Note: remove the seeds from the jalapeño if you want it less spicy!
    Two small sheet pans resting next to one another: one full of broccoli florets, and the other full of cubed seasoned chicken and sliced jalapenos.

For the Cheddar Orzo:

  • (Make the orzo while the chicken and broccoli cook!) Melt 1 tbsp. Butter in a small sauce pan over medium heat. Stir in 1/4 cup finely chopped Onion and a pinch of salt, and cook for 4-5 minutes until onions start to brown. Stir in 1 clove Garlic (minced), and cook for 30 seconds.
  • Stir in 1/2 cup dry Orzo and toast the orzo for two minutes. Pour in 1 cup Vegetable or Chicken Broth and bring to a simmer (still over medium heat). Cook the orzo in the broth, stirring frequently so the orzo doesn't stick to the pan, for about 7-8 minutes until the broth is absorbed.
    A saucepan with cooked orzo resting in the bottom being stirred by a wooden spoon.
  • Once the orzo is fully cooked and all of the broth is absorbed, turn the heat off from underneath the pan. Stir in 2 tbsp. Whole Milk, 1 tbsp. Sour Cream, and 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar Cheese until completely mixed together.
    A pot of cheesy cheddar orzo being stirred with a wooden spoon.
  • Divide the orzo between two shallow bowls, then divide the chicken, jalapeños, and broccoli over the orzo. Serve warm with a sprinkle of Everything Seasoning.
    A white bowl full of cheesy orzo, baked chicken, and roasted broccoli with a spoon place into the center of the bowl.

Notes

For juicier chicken, brine the chicken breast in salt water for 15 minutes before cutting it into bite-sized pieces.
Double the orzo and broth amount if you want to make more than two servings.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 575kcalCarbohydrates: 49gProtein: 38gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 102mgSodium: 1496mgPotassium: 1115mgFiber: 7gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 2648IUVitamin C: 132mgCalcium: 247mgIron: 3mg
Keyword Cajun Chicken Orzo, cheddar broccoli orzo, cheesy orzo
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