Cheesy One-Pot Chicken-Broccoli Orzo

Busy weeknights just got better—and tastier—with this Cheesy One-Pot Chicken-Broccoli Orzo. This high-protein, one-pot dish includes chicken, broccoli, pasta and three kinds of melty, creamy cheese that coat everything they touch. Simple seasonings, including Italian herbs, onions and garlic, balance the flavors. And one-pot means quick and easy cleanup. Keep reading for our expert tips, including how to save on prep time.

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Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

• Stir the orzo as it cooks. Doing so coaxes out the starches and yields a creamy texture.
• We like this recipe with chicken breasts, but chicken thighs would be equally delicious.
• You can save time by buying prepackaged broccoli florets.

Nutrition Notes

• Chicken breast brings lean, muscle-building protein to this dish, plus some micronutrients, like B vitamins and choline, all of which support a healthy immune system.
• Broccoli adds a ton of health benefits to this dish. The nutrients in broccoli have been linked with reduced inflammation and a healthier heart. Your skin might even have a healthier glow when you eat broccoli regularly. 
• Whole-wheat orzo brings the beauty and benefits of whole grains to this one-pot dish. Including more whole grains in your diet will keep things moving through your gut, thanks to their fiber, plus help reduce disease-causing chronic inflammation in your body.
• This dish would not be complete without the melty goodness of cheese. But that’s not all cheese adds to this dish. It also brings protein and calcium for strong muscles and bones.