This chicken pot pie orzo is one of our favorite cozy dinners, all the creamy, savory comfort of chicken pot pie with tender orzo standing in for the crust, ready in about thirty minutes. For us that kind of warm, hearty comfort food is exactly what real food for real life is about. It is the kind of dinner that wraps you in comfort, delivering all the creamy, savory soul of chicken pot pie without any rolling or chilling of dough, and it lands on the table fast.
Seasoned chicken, carrots, celery, and onion cook into a creamy sauce thickened with a quick roux, then tender orzo is folded in to make it rich and hearty. This chicken pot pie orzo is a one pan, crustless twist on a beloved classic that comes together fast. Letting the chicken and vegetables simmer into a creamy sauce before the orzo joins them means every grain ends up coated in that cozy, pot pie style richness.
Creamy orzo with chicken and vegetables in a rich pot pie style sauce makes this chicken pot pie orzo a cozy one pan dinner.
Why You Will Love This Chicken Pot Pie Orzo
- All the pot pie flavor. Creamy chicken, vegetables, and herbs taste like the classic.
- No crust needed. Tender orzo replaces the pastry for a fast, hearty twist.
- Creamy and comforting. A quick roux and cream make a rich sauce.
- Ready in about thirty minutes. A cozy dinner on a busy night.
- Family friendly. Creamy, savory, and a hit with all ages.
What Makes This Chicken Pot Pie Orzo So Good
A great chicken pot pie orzo starts by seasoning and cooking the chicken, then softening carrots, celery, and onion, which builds a savory, aromatic base. Taking a moment to soften the vegetables and cook the chicken first builds a savory, aromatic base, which is what keeps the finished dish tasting deep rather than flat.
Sprinkling flour over the vegetables and whisking in broth and cream creates a smooth, creamy roux based sauce, the cozy backbone of the dish. Cooking the flour briefly with the vegetables before the liquid goes in keeps the sauce from tasting raw, and steady stirring turns it smooth and velvety.
The key to this chicken pot pie orzo is folding the cooked orzo into that creamy sauce, so it turns rich and hearty, almost like a pot pie filling you can eat by the spoonful. Folding the orzo in at the end, once the sauce has thickened, is what gives the dish that spoonable, pot pie filling texture without turning gluey.
Optional Pro Tip: Cook Orzo Separately
Cook the orzo separately and fold it in at the end so it stays tender and the sauce stays creamy, not starchy. For the best chicken pot pie orzo, let the sauce thicken before adding the orzo so it clings rather than turning thin. Cooking the orzo separately keeps the sauce from going starchy and lets you control its tenderness, so it stays distinct and pleasant rather than swollen and heavy.
Tips for the Best Chicken Pot Pie Orzo
Cook the orzo to al dente so the chicken pot pie orzo stays tender, and build a smooth roux for a creamy sauce. Stopping the orzo at al dente is smart, since it keeps softening once it meets the warm sauce, and a smooth roux is the foundation of that creamy finish.
Let the sauce thicken before folding in the orzo and chicken, then season to taste and finish with parsley. Letting the sauce thicken before the orzo and chicken go in helps it cling to everything, and a final taste for salt keeps the comforting flavor from falling flat. Tasting near the end and adjusting the salt or a squeeze of pepper lets you balance the creamy orzo so each bite is comforting and full of flavor.
Variations and Add Ins
- Cheesy. Stir in parmesan or a handful of shredded cheese.
- Extra veggies. Add corn, green beans, or mushrooms.
- Herb forward. Add extra thyme, parsley, or a little rosemary.
- Lighter. Use half and half in place of heavy cream.
- Smoky. Add a little turkey bacon for a smoky note.
How to Store and Make Ahead
Store leftover chicken pot pie orzo in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The orzo absorbs sauce, so it thickens. Stored airtight, it keeps its creamy, savory character for a few days, though the orzo will keep drinking up sauce, so expect it to firm up as it sits.
Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth or cream to loosen it back to a creamy consistency. A splash of broth or cream stirred in while reheating loosens it right back to a creamy consistency, and gentle heat keeps the sauce smooth.
Serving Suggestions for Chicken Pot Pie Orzo
Serve this warm, garnished with fresh parsley, with a simple green salad on the side. It is a complete, cozy meal on its own. A scattering of fresh parsley brightens the bowl, and a simple green salad alongside adds a crisp, fresh contrast to the rich, creamy orzo.
The savory base here begins with a mirepoix, the classic mix of onion, carrot, and celery that flavors countless dishes, as described in this overview of mirepoix. It gives this chicken pot pie orzo its deep, comforting flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is orzo?
Orzo is a small, rice shaped pasta that cooks quickly and works well in creamy dishes. Because orzo cooks quickly and turns tender and creamy, it is the perfect crustless stand in here, giving you all the comfort of pot pie in far less time.
Should I cook the orzo separately?
Yes. Cooking it separately and folding it in keeps the sauce creamy and the orzo tender. Cooking it separately and folding it in is the trick to keeping both the sauce creamy and the orzo tender, since simmering it in the sauce can make everything thick and starchy.
Can I use rotisserie chicken?
Yes. Pre cooked or rotisserie chicken is perfect and makes the dish come together quickly. Pre cooked or rotisserie chicken keeps this weeknight friendly, letting you focus on building the creamy sauce rather than cooking the meat from scratch.
How do I thicken the sauce?
A quick roux of flour and fat, plus the starchy orzo, thickens it. Simmer longer for a thicker sauce. The roux and the starch from the orzo do the thickening, so if you want it thicker, simply simmer the sauce a little longer before the orzo goes in.
Can I make it cheesy?
Yes. Stir in parmesan or shredded cheese for extra richness. Stirring in parmesan or a handful of shredded cheese melts smoothly into the sauce, adding extra richness and a savory, comforting depth.
Can I add more vegetables?
Yes. Corn, green beans, or mushrooms all work well stirred in. Corn, green beans, or mushrooms all stir in easily, so you can add color and extra vegetables to suit your taste and what you have on hand.
Can I make it ahead?
Yes. It keeps for up to three days and reheats well with a splash of broth or cream. Because it reheats well, it makes a great make ahead meal, giving you a few days of cozy, creamy lunches with very little extra effort.
Can I freeze it?
Cream and pasta can change texture when frozen, but it is doable. Thaw and reheat gently. If you freeze it, expect the texture to shift a little, so thaw it gently and stir in a splash of liquid while reheating to bring the creaminess back.
Why is it too thick when reheated?
The orzo keeps absorbing liquid. Loosen it with a splash of broth or cream. The orzo keeps absorbing liquid as it sits, so a splash of broth or cream when reheating is all it takes to loosen it back to silky.
What can I serve with it?
A simple green salad or crusty bread pair nicely. A simple green salad or a slice of crusty bread rounds out the meal and gives a fresh or crunchy contrast to the creamy orzo.
A Crustless, Creamy Pot Pie in a Bowl
This chicken pot pie orzo delivers everything you love about chicken pot pie, creamy sauce, tender chicken, and vegetables, with hearty orzo instead of a crust. It is comfort food made fast. It captures everything beloved about chicken pot pie, creamy sauce, tender chicken, and vegetables, in a fast, crustless form that feels just as cozy.
Make it in one pan, stir in cheese or extra vegetables, and serve it warm with parsley. It is a hearty, crowd pleasing dinner perfect for busy nights. Make it in one pan, stir in cheese or extra vegetables, and serve it warm with parsley, and you have a hearty, crowd pleasing dinner for the busiest nights.
If you love creamy, comforting dishes like this, you will also enjoy our cheesy gnocchi bake, another favorite from our kitchen.
Results vary by ingredients, equipment, and cooking conditions. Always taste and adjust seasoning as you go.
Chicken Pot Pie Orzo
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Cook the orzo per the package instructions.
- Season the chicken breasts with onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt and black pepper.
- Add a splash of olive oil to the skillet and cook it over medium high heat until it reaches 165 F internal temperature.
- Dice it into bite sized pieces.
- In a large skillet over medium high heat add the butter and olive oil.
- Once the butter is melted add in the diced onion, carrots and celery.
- Allow the veggies to saute for 5 to 7 minutes until they start to soften up.
- Reduce the heat to low and sprinkle the all purpose flour over the veggies and whisk together until it forms a paste.
- While stirring constantly, allow the roux to cook for 2 to 3 minutes then pour in the chicken broth, chicken bouillon powder and heavy whipping cream.
- Whisk together until no clumps are present and the mixture starts to thicken.
- Add in the diced chicken and allow the mixture to simmer while the veggies continue to soften and until it reaches desired thickness.
- Pour in drained orzo and stir to combine.
Nutrition
Notes
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