In the Slimming Eats house, we love a good one-pot recipe—minimal effort, big flavours, and hardly any washing up. This One-Pot Marry Me Chicken Orzo is no exception. Tender chicken simmers in a rich, creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and herbs, while the orzo soaks up every bit of flavour. It’s a simple, satisfying meal that feels indulgent without the fuss.
Perfect for busy evenings, this dish brings all the comforting flavours of a slow-cooked meal in a fraction of the time. A sprinkle of Parmesan adds the finishing touch, making each bite as delicious as the last. Whether it’s a midweek dinner or a meal-prep favourite, this one-pot wonder is sure to be a hit.
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Calories in One Pot Marry Me Chicken Orzo
This recipe serves 4 and is 452 calories per serving
If you're looking for more recipes within the same calorie range, you'll find an abundance of options in my dedicated collection of 400+ calorie recipes.
If you're following a calorie-controlled diet or a healthy eating plan, it's important to calculate your daily calorie intake using a reliable calorie calculator. Please note that the calorie counts provided are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and serving sizes. Personalizing your calculations is essential to meet your individual needs. By using a calorie calculator, you can make informed choices and stay on track with your dietary goals.
See the recipe card for full nutritional estimation.
Ingredients Notes
To make this recipe you will need the following ingredients:
- Orzo – A small, rice-shaped pasta that soaks up all the delicious flavours as it cooks, making the sauce beautifully creamy without extra liquid.
- Chicken – Boneless, skinless chicken works best, staying tender and full of flavour as it simmers in the sauce.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes – This recipe uses sun-dried tomatoes in oil (drained) for their rich, slightly sweet flavour. You can also use dry-packed sun-dried tomatoes—just be sure to hydrate them in hot water first to soften.
- Garlic – A key ingredient for depth and flavour. Freshly minced gives the best results.
- Onion – Adds a subtle sweetness and savoury base. A small amount is all that’s needed.
- Paprika – Brings a warm, slightly smoky flavour that enhances the richness of the sauce.
- Chilli Flakes – Just a touch for mild warmth without overpowering the dish. You can adjust to taste.
- Oregano & Thyme – Classic herbs that add depth and earthiness, perfectly complementing the creamy sauce and tender chicken.
- Chicken Stock – Enhances the depth of flavour and provides the perfect amount of liquid for the orzo to absorb as it cooks. It's essential to use the correct ratio of stock cubes to water, as not all stock cubes are identical. Using too few can lead to a bland, watery broth, while too many may create a stock that's overly salty.
- Half and Half Cream – A lighter alternative to heavy cream, giving the sauce a silky texture without making it too rich. In the UK, you can use reduced-fat single cream as a substitute.
- Reduced Fat Cream Cheese – Gives the sauce a luxurious texture with a slight tang that balances the flavours.
- Parmesan – Adds a savoury, umami depth while also helping to thicken the sauce slightly.
- Basil – Freshly chopped basil lifts the dish with a hint of freshness. A handful is all you need.
- Olive Oil Spray - Use your preferred choice of low calorie spray, I prefer olive oil or avocado sprays without any added emulsifiers.
- Salt and Pepper - These basic yet essential flavour enhancers are key for elevating the taste of your dishes. No food will ever be bland when these are used to season to taste.
Once you've gathered all the ingredients and prepared them accordingly, you're all set to create this easy and delightful recipe.
See the recipe card for specific quantities and instructions.
Tips for Perfect One-Pot Marry Me Chicken Orzo
One-pot meals make cooking easier while still delivering incredible flavour. Follow these tips to get the best results for this dish:
- Use the Right Pan – A large, deep pan or skillet with a lid is ideal. It gives the orzo enough space to cook evenly and prevents the sauce from reducing too quickly.
- Prep Ingredients Ahead – Have everything chopped and measured before you start. One-pot recipes come together quickly, so this keeps things smooth and stress-free.
- Layer Flavours – Brown the chicken first, set aside and then fry the onion and garlic to create a rich base, before adding the seasonings and everything else as per the recipe. This builds depth in the sauce.
- Don’t Rush the Orzo – Stir occasionally to prevent sticking, but let it simmer gently so it absorbs the stock properly. Once the cream cheese, half and half and Parmesan are added, they’ll melt into the sauce, creating a rich, creamy texture. If it’s cooking too fast, lower the heat.
- Adjust Liquid Levels – Orzo soaks up a lot of liquid as it cooks. If the sauce thickens too much before the pasta is tender, add a splash of stock to loosen it.
- Let it Rest – Once cooked, turn off the heat and let the dish sit for a couple of minutes before serving. This helps the sauce settle and allows the flavours to fully develop.
Follow these tips, and you’ll have a perfectly creamy, flavour-packed one-pot meal with minimal effort!
Suggested Sides
This One-Pot Marry Me Chicken Orzo is a complete meal on its own, but if you’d like to add a little something on the side, here are some great options:
- Simple Green Salad – A fresh side of baby greens, cucumber, red onion, and cooked beets adds a light contrast to the creamy dish. A drizzle of balsamic dressing works beautifully.
- Steamed or Roasted Vegetables – Keep it simple with steamed tenderstem broccoli or roasted asparagus for a touch of extra veg.
- Sautéed Spinach – Lightly wilted spinach with a squeeze of lemon adds freshness and pairs well with the creamy flavours.
- Grilled Courgettes – Sliced courgettes grilled with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper make a great side without overpowering the dish.
These sides add balance without taking attention away from the star of the meal!
More One Pot Recipes
Love an easy one pot recipe? Check out these other options on Slimming Eats:
See more One Pot Recipes →
or if you would like more recipe ideas - head on over to the FULL RECIPE INDEX where you will find over 900 delicious recipes with calories and you can search by meal type, ingredients, course, diet and more.
All recipes on Slimming Eats have estimated nutritional information for your convenience.
FAQ for Marry Me Chicken Orzo
Yes, you can definitely use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of chicken breast. Chicken thighs will add extra flavour and remain tender as they cook. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time slightly, as they may take a little longer to cook through.
Store any leftover One-Pot Marry Me Chicken Orzo in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Be sure to let it cool completely before storing.
Yes, you can freeze One-Pot Marry Me Chicken Orzo for up to 3 months. To freeze, allow the dish to cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container. When you’re ready to enjoy it, let it thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
To reheat, place the dish in a pan over low heat, adding a splash of chicken stock or water to loosen the sauce if needed. Stir occasionally until heated through. You can also reheat in the microwave, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating.
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Recipe Card
One Pot Marry Me Chicken Orzo
This One-Pot Marry Me Chicken Orzo is the perfect blend of tender chicken, creamy sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and herbs, all simmered with orzo to create big flavours with minimal effort and washing up.
Ingredients
- Olive oil spray
- 455g (1lb) boneless, skinless chicken breast, chopped into bite-sized pieces, raw
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- small onion, finely chopped
- 1 ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon thyme
- ¼ teaspoon chilli flakes
- 200g (7oz) orzo, dry
- 600ml (2.5 cups) chicken stock (additional if needed)
- 80g (2.8 oz) sun-dried tomatoes, drained from oil
- 60g (2.1 oz) reduced fat cream cheese
- 120ml (½ cup) of half and half (or reduced fat single cream)
- 50g (1 ¾ oz) Parmesan, grated
- Handful of fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
- Heat a large deep frying pan over medium-high heat and spray with olive oil.
- Add the chicken, seasoning generously with salt and pepper. Fry until lightly golden all over. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Spray the pan again with olive oil, then add the onion and garlic. Fry until softened.
- Add the paprika, oregano, thyme, and chilli flakes. Fry for 30 seconds to release the flavours.
- Stir in the orzo and cook for a minute or so until slightly translucent.
- Pour in the stock, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for approximately 9-10 minutes, until the stock is absorbed and the orzo is just cooked.
- Add the chicken back into the pan, along with the sun-dried tomatoes, cream cheese, and half and half. Stir until the cream cheese has melted, chicken is fully cooked and the orzo becomes creamy (add a little more stock if needed).
- Stir in the Parmesan and fresh chopped basil, just until the Parmesan has melted.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Please see below for full nutritional info and additional details about recipe:
- Calories - scroll down to nutritional info box
- WW Points and other Slimming or Weight Loss programs - due to plans regularly changing and updating, we recommend calculating with the official tools you get as a member to those plans to ensure accuracy of values.
- ❄️ Freezer Friendly - see FAQ section
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Nutrition Information
Yield 4 Serving Size 1 SERVINGAmount Per Serving Calories 452Total Fat 13gSaturated Fat 4gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 102mgSodium 921mgCarbohydrates 46gFiber 5gSugar 3gProtein 39g
Nutritional information and values etc are an estimate and is to be used for informational purposes only. Ingredients can vary greatly from brand to brand and therefore it would be impossible to give accurate information. It is always advised that you calculate by the ingredients you use.
Polly George says
What is half and half please? I've never heard of it (I'm in UK).
Siobhan (Slimming Eats) says
You use reduced fat single cream instead in the UK as per the recipe. Enjoy!