One Pan Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Orzo
Updated Sep 20, 2026
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One Pan Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Orzo is one of my most popular and loved recipes! It has juicy seasoned chicken thighs, creamy orzo, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach, all cooked together in one pan with white wine, Dijon mustard, Parmesan, and a splash of cream.
Looking for more tasty chicken and orzo recipes? Try my Orzo al Limone with Crispy Parmesan Chicken, One Pan Chicken Piccata Orzo, or One Pan Creamy Tomato Chicken Boursin Orzo, or Chicken Shawarma Orzo with Yogurt Sauce!
🐝 Quick Look: One Pan Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Orzo
- What it is: A complete one-pan meal with seasoned chicken thighs and creamy orzo.
- Why you’ll love it: Comforting, flavorful, and one of my most popular recipes.
- Time: 15 minutes prep, 35 minutes cook time, 50 minutes total.
- Main ingredients: Chicken thighs, orzo, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and Parmesan.
- Best for: Easy weeknight dinners.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- A full meal in one pan: Chicken, orzo, and spinach all cook in the same pan for an easy dinner with minimal cleanup. Try my One Pot Spicy Italian Sausage Orzo or One Pot Chicken Sausage Baked Orzo for other complete one-pan meals.
- Creamy and flavorful: Sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan, Dijon, garlic, and a splash of cream give the orzo tons of flavor.
- A reader favorite: This is one of my most popular recipes and has been a favorite for years. Check out my One Pot French Onion Pasta which is another fan favorite!
- More sun-dried tomato recipes: Have extra? Make my Sun-Dried Tomato and Broccolini Vodka Pasta or Easy Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta.
Table of Contents
Key Ingredients
See the recipe card below for the complete list of ingredients with exact quantities.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Add concentrated tomato flavor and a slightly sweet, tangy bite. Use sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil.
- Orzo Pasta: A small, rice-shaped pasta that cooks right in the sauce and becomes creamy as it bakes.
- Dijon Mustard: Adds a subtle tang and extra depth to the creamy sauce without making it taste like mustard.
Tips and Substitutions
- Don’t overbake the orzo: Bake until the chicken is cooked through and most of the liquid is absorbed, but the orzo still looks creamy and slightly saucy. It will continue to absorb liquid as it sits, so don’t wait for it to look completely dry.
- Chicken thighs work best: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs stay juicy during searing and baking. You can use boneless, skinless chicken breasts instead, but cooking time may vary depending on their size and thickness.
- No white wine? Replace it with an equal amount of chicken broth. The lemon juice added at the end will still give the finished dish some brightness.
- Swap the greens: Replace the spinach with arugula or a spinach and arugula mix. Arugula will add a slightly more peppery flavor.
- Use less cream: For a lighter version, reduce the heavy cream and add a little extra chicken broth to make up for the liquid.
- Adjust the heat: Reduce or omit the red pepper flakes for a milder dish, or add more if you like it spicy.
- Switch up the herbs: The parsley garnish is optional, or you can use fresh basil instead.
- Adjust the consistency: The orzo will continue to thicken as it sits. If it gets thicker than you’d like, stir in a splash of warm chicken broth before serving.
How to Make One Pan Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Orzo
See the recipe card below for full instructions and exact amounts.
- Season the chicken thighs and sear until nicely browned.
- Cook the shallot and garlic in the same pan.
- Add the orzo and stir to coat, letting it lightly toast.
- Deglaze with white wine, then stir in the broth, sun-dried tomatoes, Dijon, cream, and Parmesan
- Add the spinach and nestle the chicken back into the orzo.
- Bake until the chicken is cooked through and the orzo is tender.
More Orzo Favorites
One Pan Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Orzo
One Pan Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Orzo combines seasoned chicken thighs with creamy Parmesan orzo, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach for an easy, flavorful dinner.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 teaspoons Paprika
- 1 ½ teaspoons Dried Oregano
- ¾ teaspoon Kosher Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
- ½ teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
- 2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil, divided
- 1 ½ pounds Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
Other Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Unsalted Butter
- 1 Shallot, chopped
- 4 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 cup Orzo Pasta, uncooked
- ½ cup Dry White Wine
- 2 cups Chicken Broth
- ½ cup Oil-Packed Sun-Dried Tomatoes, drained and sliced if whole
- 1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard
- ½ cup Heavy Cream
- ¼ cup Parmesan Cheese, freshly grated
- 2 cups Baby Spinach
- 2 tablespoons Lemon Juice
- ¼ cup Fresh Parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Season the chicken: Combine the paprika, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Drizzle the chicken thighs with 1 tablespoon olive oil, then season all over with the spice mixture.
- Sear the chicken: Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large oven-safe sauté pan over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for about 5 minutes per side until deeply golden. Transfer to a plate.
- Cook the aromatics and orzo: Reduce the heat to medium and add the butter. Add the shallot and cook for 1 minute, then add the garlic and cook for another minute. Stir in the orzo and cook for 2 minutes, stirring often.
- Build the sauce: Pour in the white wine and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Simmer until mostly absorbed, about 2 minutes. Stir in the chicken broth, sun-dried tomatoes, Dijon mustard, heavy cream, and Parmesan. Simmer for 2 minutes.
- Add the spinach and bake: Stir in the spinach until it begins to wilt. Nestle the chicken and any accumulated juices back into the pan. Transfer to the oven and bake uncovered for about 15 minutes, until the chicken reaches 165°F and the orzo is tender with most of the liquid absorbed. The orzo should still look slightly saucy.
- Finish and serve: Drizzle with the lemon juice and sprinkle with parsley. Serve immediately with additional freshly grated Parmesan, if desired.
Video
Notes
- Chicken thighs: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work best because they stay juicy through searing and baking. Cooking time can vary depending on their thickness, so check that the thickest part reaches 165°F.
- Sun-dried tomatoes: I recommend sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil. Drain them well before measuring and slice them if they’re whole.
- White wine: Use a dry white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio. You can substitute an equal amount of chicken broth if you prefer to cook without wine.
- Red pepper flakes: The 1/2 teaspoon adds some heat. Reduce or omit them for a milder dish.
- Orzo: The orzo should be tender but still saucy when it comes out of the oven. If it looks too thick, stir in a splash of warm chicken broth before serving.
- Pan size: Use a large oven-safe sauté pan or skillet that comfortably fits the chicken in a single layer.
- Storage & reheating: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The orzo will continue to absorb liquid as it sits, so add a splash of chicken broth when reheating on the stove or in the microwave.
Nutrition
Calories: 659kcal, Carbohydrates: 44g, Protein: 46g, Fat: 31g, Saturated Fat: 13g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 12g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 208mg, Sodium: 843mg, Potassium: 1327mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 9g, Vitamin A: 3047IU, Vitamin C: 19mg, Calcium: 169mg, Iron: 5mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!
One of my all-time favorite recipes! I can never get enough chicken thighs and orzo. I hope you love it too!
Absolutely delicious!
I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for leaving a review!
Love this recipe! Even my toddler ate it. Definitely in our rotation!
I’m so happy your whole family enjoys the recipe so much! Thank you for leaving a review!
This is so so comforting and delicious! Will definitely go into heavy rotation in my house. Hubby and 8-year old loved it:) I used both breasts and thighs to cater to preferences.. Winner winner chicken dinner! Literally!
Delicious and easy
Thank you for leaving a review! So glad you enjoyed the recipe!
We had the one PN sun dried Tomato chicken orzo. It was delicious. We loved it. Easy to make. Very flavorful. We will have this again really soon.
I’m so happy you enjoyed the recipe, Pam! Thanks so much for the nice comment!