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All the flavors of everyone’s favorite dip in a skillet — Spinach, Artichoke, and Chicken Orzo Skillet!
Y’all know I love a skillet — especially a chicken and orzo skillet — so I decided to take one of my favorite methods and pair it with some of my favorite flavors. This meal comes together absolutely deliciously with a creamy orzo base packed with spinach, artichokes, cream cheese, and more, and topped with perfectly browned chicken.
While there is so much to love about this dish — specifically it being cooked all in one skillet — I particularly love the brightness the white wine, lemon zest, and lemon juice bring to the dish. In combination, they all cut through the richness of the orzo, creating an absolutely irresistible bite!
I know this Spinach, Artichoke, and Chicken Orzo Skillet is going to be a hit on your tables!
For More Skillet Recipes:
Creamy Ricotta Chicken and Orzo Skillet
One-Pan Spanakopita-Inspired Skillet
Pan-Roasted Chicken with Cherry Tomatoes, Feta and Herbs
Spinach, Artichoke, and Chicken Orzo Skillet
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 4 small boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
For the Orzo:
- 1 large shallot halved and thinly sliced
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ cup dry white wine
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- Zest of ½ a lemon
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 4 cups baby spinach
- 1 cup orzo
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- One 14-ounce can quartered artichoke hearts drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup shredded parmesan divided
- ¼ cup flat-leaf parsley plus more for garnish
- 1 lemon cut into wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350℉ on convection bake.
- Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board and cover with parchment or plastic wrap. Using a meat mallet or the bottom of a heavy skillet, pound the chicken to a uniform 1/4-inch thickness. Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel.
- Season both sides evenly with the salt, black pepper, and cayenne.
- In a large, deep oven-safe skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned on both sides, about 3 minutes per side. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Reduce heat beneath the skillet to medium-low, add the shallot, garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for 2 minutes, just until softened. While whisking, add the Dijon and wine. Continue stirring, scrapping up any brown bits from the bottom of the skillet. Continue cooking until the wine reduces by half, about 3 minutes.
- Add the cream cheese and stir until smooth. While stirring, add the chicken broth, lemon zest and lemon juice.
- Next, 2 cups at a time, add the spinach to the skillet. Stir to combine and cook until the spinach begins to wilt. Add the orzo, salt, pepper, artichoke hearts, ¼ cup of parmesan, and parsley. Stir to combine.
- Nestle the chicken back into the skillet and top with the remaining ¼ cup of parmesan. Place into the oven and bake for about 20 minutes, until orzo is cooked through.
- Divide among 4 plates and serve with lemon wedge.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Easy peezy. Spinach was horrible so I used chard. Also subbed Parmesan rinds for the grated cheese. Delish. It makes a LOT. We will have plenty for leftovers.
Glad it was a hit!
Winner winner Chicken dinner. New recipe for new school year! Delicious. Will add to the rotation! I would get all ingredients prepped. It comes together quickly!
I am OBSESSED with this recipe. I tried it for the first time a week ago, and was blown away. The flavors are unreal. The lemon, the artichokes, the spicy kick! I savored it for dinner and ate on it all week. It was an awesome reheated lunch each work day. Haven’t stopped thinking about it, so made it again tonight and am as in love with it as I was last week. I’ve told everyone I know about this recipe and will continue to keep it on my rotation. THANK YOU!
What a review! Thank you so much — glad you loved this!
HI Alex,
This looks amazing. Is there anyway to make this dairy free? I know the feta makes it creamy so looking for a good substitution.
I know brown rice is not a 1:1 sub for cooking time and liquid, but I have a ton of basmati rice and other pastas…any recommendation on a different pasta swap or rice swap?
Trying this for the first time! Can you sub brown rice for the orzo?
Brown rice would not be a 1:1 swap with orzo so I am not sure if this would cook the same (i.e. the amount of liquid may vary, cook time may vary, etc.)
Absolutely delicious meal and easy to make! Loved the slight bit of heat from the cayenne and red pepper flakes!
Glad you enjoyed this! Thanks for commenting.
Do you happen to have the nutritional info for this recipe? We love it and would like to track it if possible. Thanks so much!
This was so good and perfect for a Saturday night summer dinner. My husband loved it too.
This is delicious!! I omitted the cayenne and thought it still had plenty of heat. Another winner from DD!