Yellow Tomato and Creamy Chicken Orzo Skillet

This chicken orzo recipe is the perfect blend of flavors, all combined into one delicious dish! Made with yellow tomatoes, garlic, chicken stock, cream, and a generous helping of cooked chicken breast, it's an easy-to-make meal that is sure to please. Serve this comforting dish alongside a crisp green salad for a complete dinner that the whole family will enjoy.

This meal is so simple and easy, you can make it all year long, not just when tomatoes are in season.

I often freeze my extra tomatoes from the garden and make this dish whenever we need a quick meal.

Why Make This Chicken Dish

• Nothing is better than a one pot meal, making clean up a true breeze
• The entire dish can be made in about 45 minutes and is a complete meal.
• It's a meal the whole family will enjoy- no complaining
• It's easy to add more vegetables than just tomatoes 
• This is one of those chicken dinners that is great to enjoy any time of year

​What is orzo pasta? 

Orzo is a type of pasta that looks like large grains of rice. It's often used in Italian dishes, and its mild flavor makes it a great addition to soups and salads. Orzo can also be added to this chicken dish for a more filling meal.

This versatile pasta is incredibly easy to cook, as it only takes about seven minutes! With the combination of juicy tomatoes, savory chicken, and a delicious helping of orzo, this meal is sure to be a hit.

Ingredients

The recipe only calls for a few ingredients. Get more info on these ingredients below in the printable recipe card All you need is:

• Chicken breasts
• Yellow tomatoes, or heirloom yellow, orange or red of any variety
• Chicken stock
• Shallot
• Garlic clove
• Cream (optional)
• Orzo
• Basil leaves

That's it! Easy, right?

Watch how fast you'll fall in love with this creamy chicken orzo!

How to Make Chicken Orzo

Step 1. Heat a heavy large skillet to medium-high heat.

Step 2. Pat chicken breast dry with paper towels to absorb excess moisture (helps with a nice browning). Salt and pepper the chicken on both sides using coarse salt and pepper.

Step 3. Once the skillet has heated, add a bit of olive oil or butter (I prefer butter here), and sear the chicken on both sides.

Don't move the chicken while it's browning, because that can affect the crust, just let it sit and don't disturb it until it's time to flip them all over.

Once you've acquired a nice sear on both sides, remove the chicken from the pan and set aside on a plate. They'll go back in to finish cooking later.

Step 4. In the same pan, still hot, add the tomatoes, shallot, and garlic and sauté. If necessary, add a bit more butter or oil if the pan is too dry to sauté the vegetables.

Continue to sauté them until the tomatoes have broken down and the shallot is translucent and soft.

Step 5. Add the stock to the pan, along with some freshly torn basil leaves, and stir with a spatula to loosen any stuck bits.

Reduce the heat to medium-low.

Step 6. Remove from heat and stir in the cream.

Add the orzo, nestle the chicken breasts in to finish cooking through, and return to heat, simmering until the orzo is tender, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 7. Remove the skillet from the heat, and garnish with fresh basil leaves.

Serve golden brown chicken on a bed of the creamy, heirloom tomato orzo.

Storage

Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To store them, transfer the leftovers into an airtight container or wrap tightly with plastic wrap. The container should be placed in the coldest part of the refrigerator. To reheat, transfer into a pot and simmer on low heat until hot.

If you plan to freeze leftovers, make sure to cool to room temperature before transferring into a freezer-safe bag and freezing for up to 4 months.

When ready to enjoy, thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating on a stovetop or microwave.

What kind of tomatoes should I use? 

You don't have to stick to just yellow tomatoes. Any combination of yellow, orange, red or even the black cherry tomatoes are great.

The heirloom tomatoes tend to be sweeter and they work well with a combination of others.

Can I use any type of chicken for this recipe?

Yes, any type of chicken can work well with this recipe. You can use organic or free range chicken for best results. If you don't have access to the best quality, supermarket chicken will also do the trick.

If you choose to go for skinless and boneless chicken thighs instead of breasts, cooking time may differ slightly so make sure to adjust accordingly. As long as you cook your chicken so it's tender chicken, you'll have a wonderful meal.

Can I use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth?

Yes, you can use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. The flavor won't be as intense, but it will still work well in this recipe. If you choose to go with vegetable broth, try to look for one that is low sodium since the dish may become too salty if you don't.

You may also want to add a few more spices and herbs to make up for the lack of flavor in the vegetable broth.

What are some optional additions or variations I can try?

One variation is to try different types of vegetables, such as broccoli, red bell peppers, or cauliflower. You can also add ingredients like diced bell peppers or mushrooms. 

For a richer flavor, consider adding some heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. 

Instead of chicken broth, you could try some cooking white wine to really amp up this main dish.

To make it vegan, you can replace the chicken with plant-based alternatives such as tofu or tempeh. If you don't want to use broth, you could also use tomato sauce for added flavor. 

To make it spicier, add chili flakes, red pepper flakes, or hot sauce to the mix before finishing your pasta dish.

Add some fresh herbs and other simple ingredients. Fresh spinach, fresh parsley or oregano would all be great additions. Add in some dried Italian seasoning for even more flavor. 

Squirt some fresh lemon juice and lemon zest over top of your juicy chicken for a touch of tang and make this a lemon orzo chicken recipe.

Pro Tip Make sure to scrape the browned bits off the bottom of the pan for all the extra flavor. 

​ How do you know when orzo is done cooking? 

Orzo is done cooking when it's al dente, which means that when you bite into it there should be a slight resistance. The texture should still be slightly firm but not too hard.

You can also test the doneness of orzo by stirring it in the pot and checking if it has reached the desired consistency. To get the best results, taste-test a piece of orzo before removing from the heat. 

Watch how fast this easy weeknight dinner becomes a top family favorite around your dinner table!

If you tried this recipe, give it a rating using the stars in the recipe card, or let others know what you thought in the comments below!

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