Description
Creamy skillet chicken thighs with broccoli cheddar orzo create a comforting one-pan meal that balances protein and pasta perfectly. Rich cheese and tender chicken combine for a satisfying dinner you’ll crave on busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs (907 g) chicken thighs, bone-in, skin-on
- 1 lb (454 g) broccoli florets
- 8 oz (227 g) orzo, dried
- 1.5 cups (170 g) cheddar cheese, sharp, shredded
- 2 cups (480 ml) chicken broth, low-sodium
- 0.5 cup (75 g) onion, yellow, diced
- 4 tbsps (60 ml) olive oil, divided
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper, freshly ground
Instructions
- Seasoning Chicken: Meticulously dry chicken thighs and generously season with kosher salt and black pepper across both surfaces.
- Searing Chicken: Ignite olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, creating a sizzling environment; strategically place chicken skin-side down to develop a golden, crispy exterior for 4-5 minutes per side.
- Flavor Foundation: Extract chicken from skillet, then introduce additional olive oil and sauté diced onions until translucent; toast orzo grains for 3-4 minutes to enhance nutty undertones, incorporating minced garlic and stirring continuously.
- Liquid Integration: Deglaze skillet with chicken broth, lifting caramelized remnants; return chicken thighs to pan, bring to a gentle simmer, and cover with a tight lid.
- Vegetable and Cheese Finale: Nestle broccoli florets atop the mixture, continue cooking until chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) and broccoli becomes tender; remove chicken, fold shredded cheddar into orzo until creamy, adjusting seasoning as desired.
Notes
- Crisp Chicken Skin: Pat chicken thighs extremely dry to ensure a golden, crispy exterior that locks in delicious flavor and achieves perfect texture.
- Orzo Toasting Technique: Lightly toast orzo grains before adding liquid to enhance nutty undertones and develop deeper, more complex taste profiles.
- Temperature Control: Maintain medium-low heat during simmering to prevent burning and ensure even cooking of chicken and orzo without scorching bottom of skillet.
- Cheese Melting Tip: Remove skillet from heat when adding cheddar cheese to prevent separation and create smooth, creamy consistency throughout the dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 25 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg