Creole & Italian Creamy Chicken Orzo Bake

A rich, creamy, one-pan chicken and orzo dish featuring Cooking With Greens Creole and No Salt Italian seasoning blends, tender chicken thighs, garlic herb cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh spinach, and Parmesan.

This comforting, flavor-packed dish starts with seasoned chicken thighs seared to golden perfection, then baked with orzo in a creamy, savory broth. As everything cooks together, the chicken releases its delicious juices into the orzo, creating layers of flavor in every bite. It's an easy, satisfying meal that's perfect for family dinners or entertaining guests.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35–45 minutes
Total Time: 50–60 minutes
Servings: 4–6
Cooking Method: Stovetop and oven
Oven Temperature: 400°F (204°C)

Ingredients

For the Chicken

1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1¼-inch pieces
1½ teaspoons Cooking With Greens Creole Blend
1 teaspoon Cooking With Greens No Salt Italian Blend
1 tablespoon olive oil

For the Creamy Orzo

1½ cups uncooked orzo pasta
2½ cups low-sodium chicken broth, divided
½ cup heavy cream
1 package (5.2 oz) Boursin Garlic & Fine Herbs cheese
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided
2 cups fresh baby spinach
½ teaspoon Cooking With Greens Creole Blend
1 teaspoon Cooking With Greens No Salt Italian Blend
1 tablespoon olive oil
Fresh parsley or basil for garnish (optional)
Crushed red pepper flakes for additional heat (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C).

Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil or nonstick cooking spray.

Step 2: Season the Chicken

Place the chicken thigh pieces into a mixing bowl.

Add 1½ teaspoons of Cooking With Greens Creole Blend, 1 teaspoon of Cooking With Greens No Salt Italian Blend, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil.

Toss thoroughly until every piece of chicken is evenly coated with seasoning.

Step 3: Sear the Chicken

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat (approximately 6–7 on a 10-point burner scale).

Once hot, add the seasoned chicken in a single layer, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.

Sear for approximately 2–2½ minutes per side, or 4–5 minutes total, until the outside develops a beautiful golden-brown crust.

The chicken does not need to be fully cooked at this stage because it will finish cooking in the oven.

Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

Flavor Tip: Pour ¼ cup of the measured chicken broth into the hot skillet. Scrape up the browned bits left behind from searing the chicken. These flavorful bits will be added to the baking dish.

Step 4: Assemble the Creamy Orzo

In the prepared baking dish, combine:

Uncooked orzo
Remaining 2¼ cups chicken broth
Deglazing liquid from the skillet
Heavy cream
Cherry tomatoes
Sun-dried tomatoes
Minced garlic
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ teaspoon Cooking With Greens Creole Blend
1 teaspoon Cooking With Greens No Salt Italian Blend
1 tablespoon olive oil

Stir gently to distribute the ingredients evenly and ensure the orzo is submerged in liquid.

Place the Boursin Garlic & Fine Herbs cheese in the center of the baking dish.

Step 5: Add the Chicken

Arrange the seared chicken thigh pieces evenly throughout the baking dish, nestling them into the orzo and broth mixture.

Make sure the chicken is partially submerged so it can finish cooking in the flavorful liquid.

As the chicken bakes, its juices will blend with the broth, helping to create a rich, savory sauce while keeping the thigh meat tender.

Step 6: Bake Until Tender

Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil.

Place in the preheated 400°F oven and bake for 35 to 45 minutes.

Carefully remove the foil and gently stir the mixture, breaking up the softened Boursin cheese and incorporating it into the broth and orzo.

Check the orzo for tenderness and use an instant-read thermometer to check the thickest chicken pieces.

If the orzo is still firm or the chicken has not reached an internal temperature of 165°F, cover and return to the oven for another 5–10 minutes, checking again as needed.

If the orzo has absorbed too much liquid, add ¼ cup of hot chicken broth before returning it to the oven.

Step 7: Add the Spinach and Parmesan

Once the chicken is fully cooked to 165°F internally and the orzo is tender, gently fold in the fresh baby spinach and the remaining ¼ cup of grated Parmesan cheese.

Return the baking dish to the oven, uncovered, for approximately 3–5 minutes, just until the spinach wilts and the Parmesan melts into the sauce.

Step 8: Rest and Serve

Remove the baking dish from the oven and let it rest for approximately 5 minutes.

The creamy sauce will thicken slightly as the orzo absorbs the remaining liquid.

Garnish with freshly chopped parsley or basil, additional Parmesan, or a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes if desired.

Serve warm and enjoy!

Cooking With Greens Kitchen Tips

Build flavor by searing first. Browning the chicken before baking develops a delicious savory crust. Don't skip deglazing the skillet—those browned bits add even more flavor to the finished dish.

Let the chicken and orzo cook together. Baking the partially cooked thighs in the seasoned broth allows the juices from the chicken to enrich the pasta while the moist cooking environment helps keep the meat tender.

Watch the liquid. Different brands of orzo absorb liquid at slightly different rates. If your pasta needs additional cooking time, add a small amount of hot broth to maintain a creamy consistency.

Don't overdo the salt. Boursin cheese, Parmesan, chicken broth, and Creole seasoning contribute salt and savory flavor. Using Cooking With Greens No Salt Italian Blend adds a delicious herbal dimension without additional salt.

Make it your own. For a little extra kick, add crushed red pepper flakes or a small amount of your favorite hot sauce. For an extra-creamy finish, stir in a splash of warm heavy cream just before serving.

Storage and Reheating

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking for up to 3–4 days.

To reheat, place the desired portion in a skillet or microwave-safe dish with a splash of chicken broth or milk to loosen the sauce. Heat until thoroughly warmed to 165°F.

Bring the Flavor Home!

The secret to this comforting dish is the combination of Cooking With Greens Creole Blend and Cooking With Greens No Salt Italian Blend. Together, they create a balanced combination of bold, savory flavor and aromatic herbs that transforms a simple chicken and pasta dinner into something special.

Explore our artisan seasoning blends at www.cookingwithgreensfamily.com.

Cooking With Greens — Tastefully At Home