Creamy Garlic Butter Pepper Jack Chicken Orzo (Printable)
A luscious one-pan dish with tender chicken, creamy orzo, vibrant spinach, and decadent garlic butter with spicy Pepper Jack cheese.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
02 - 1 teaspoon paprika
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Orzo & Aromatics
05 - 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta (uncooked)
06 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
07 - 5 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
→ Liquids & Creaminess
09 - 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
10 - 1 cup whole milk
11 - 1/3 cup heavy cream
→ Cheese & Finish
12 - 1 cup shredded Pepper Jack cheese
13 - 2 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped
14 - 2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley
15 - Lemon wedges, for serving
# Steps:
01 - Toss chicken cubes with paprika, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
02 - Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add seasoned chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, approximately 5–6 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
03 - Reduce heat to medium. Melt remaining butter in the same skillet. Add minced garlic and chopped onion, sautéing until fragrant and translucent, about 2–3 minutes.
04 - Stir orzo into the skillet, toasting lightly for 1 minute while stirring constantly to prevent burning.
05 - Pour in chicken broth and whole milk, stirring well to incorporate and scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
06 - Bring mixture to a gentle simmer. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 8–10 minutes until orzo is mostly tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
07 - Stir in heavy cream and reserved cooked chicken. Add chopped spinach and Pepper Jack cheese, stirring continuously until spinach wilts and cheese melts completely, 2–3 minutes.
08 - Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if desired. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The one pan cleanup means you can spend more time eating and less time scrubbing
- Pepper Jack brings this gentle heat that makes regular creamy pasta feel boring
- Everything cooks together so the orzo absorbs all those pan drippings from the chicken
02 -
- The sauce will continue thickening as it sits, so if it looks too loose initially give it a minute off the heat
- Pepper Jack heat levels vary wildly between brands, so taste your cheese first and adjust the red pepper flakes accordingly
03 -
- Don't skip toasting the orzo, it adds a subtle nutty depth that makes the dish taste restaurant quality
- Reserve a splash of pasta water before the liquid fully absorbs if you think you might want to loosen the sauce later